Synthesis of Ba1+xV6O16·nH2O single-crystalline nanobelts and seamless ring-like structures

Single crystalline Ba1+xV6O16·nH2O (x≈0.2x≈0.2, n≈3n≈3) nanobelts and a small quantity of seamless ring-like structures have been synthesized by a simple hydrothermal treatment of barium polyvanadate precursor. The nanobelts with a rectangular cross section are up to several tens of micrometers in length, 100–300 nm in width, and less than 50 nm in thickness. The ring-like structures with outer diameters of 3–5 μm have several different types, such as plate-like, tube-like, doughnut-like and wheel-like morphologies. A probable mechanism for the formation of Ba1+xV6O16·nH2O nanobelts and ring-like structures is proposed.