Synthesis and photoelectric properties of V 3O 7 · H 2O and V 3O 7 nanobelts

V3O7 center dot H2O nanobelts have been synthesized via a hydrothermal route. Monoclinic V3O7 nanobelts could be obtained by thermal decomposition of V3O7 center dot H2O nanobelts at 400 C. The synthesized products were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. It was found that the V3O7 center dot H2O is of orthorhombic phase and single crystalline nanobelts with width of 100-500 nm and length up to 100 mu m. The formation mechanism of the V3O7 center dot H2O nanobelts was discussed. Light sensitivity in exposure to a simulated sunlight in different intensity and biases have been investigated on the electrode made from the V3O7 center dot H2O and V3O7 nanobelts. The results show that the photocurrent intensity of the V3O7 nanobelts is much larger than that of the V3O7 center dot H2O nanobelts. The fast current response has been observed under alternative control of light on and off at 2 s interval.