A crystallization and structural study of the compound Pb2V2O7 synthesized by a facile sol–gel-based chemical route

Abstract

In this work, we carried out the synthesis of lead(II) divanadate(V) by means of a soft chemistry reaction based on a sol–gel-derived route. The final organic precursor was heat treated (T = 400, 500, 600, 750 and 800 °C) and structurally analyzed for each temperature by taking into account the results of FTIR spectroscopy, synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction and X-ray absorption near-edge structure. As an overall result, we report a final compound with remarkable crystallographic and morphological qualities that seem to keep all its structural features in the temperature range 450–700 °C before the structure incongruently melts. As a highlight, the desired material was obtained following a highly reproducible, low-cost, low-temperature and quite straightforward chemical route. Besides, this synthesis route could also allow the appropriate integration of lead(II) divanadate(V) nanoparticles, or nanolayers, into more complex systems as well as the feasibility for being expanded to other materials.