Preparation of vanadium pentoxide nanoparticles by ionic liquid-assisted sonochemical method: Effect of ionic liquid stericity on particle characteristics

• V2O5 is synthesized in presence of ILs [emim][Tf2N] and [emim][TfO] with ultrasound.
• V2O5 particles morphology was influenced due to ILs under ultrasonic irradiation.
• Formation of V2O5 nano-/micro-rods increased with the use of ILs.
• Photocatalytic activity of V2O5 increased due to the use of ILs in MB degradation.

The V2O5 particles were synthesized in presence of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide [emim][Tf2N], and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoromethane sulfonate [emim][TfO] ionic liquids (IL). Comparative experiments were conducted with heating and without use of IL. As-synthesized, as well as 400 °C/4 h heated V2O5 were evaluated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermal gravimetric analysis, high resolution scanning electron microscopy and wide angle X-ray diffraction characterization. Particles morphology, as well as crystallinity, was influenced due to use of IL under ultrasonic irradiation. Formation of nano/micro rods increased with the use of bulky anion based IL—[emim][Tf2N]. The V2O5 particles synthesized by IL assisted sonochemical method indicated enhanced performance for degradation of methylene blue as well as for phenol.

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