Melt synthesis and structural properties of opal-V2O5 and opal-VO2 nanocomposites

Abstract

A method has been proposed for filling bulk and film opals with V2O5 and V2O5: W melts under the action of capillary forces. The VO2 and VO2: W (1.8 mol %) compounds have been synthesized from the V2O5 and V2O5: W precursors in opal pores. The phase composition and morphology of the nanocomposites prepared have been investigated. It has been revealed that, in the opal-V2O5 composite, the filler compound has a texture formed by the directional crystallization of the melt in pores of the opal film. The tunable photonic crystal heterostructure opal/opal-VO2 has been synthesized using liquid chemical etching.