Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 28, 2026

Fabrication and Optimization of Type II Silicon Clathrate Films
Published on: October 14, 2025
Bundle-like α'-NaV2O5 mesocrystals: from synthesis, growth mechanism to analysis of Na-ion
Pengcheng Liu1, Dehua Zhou2, Kongjun Zhu3
1State Key Laboratory of Mechanics and Control of Mechanical Structures, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing 210016, China. kjzhu@nuaa.edu.cn and College of Materials Science and Technology, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, 210016, China.
Abstract:
Bundle-like α'-NaV2O5 mesocrystals were synthesized successfully by a two-step hydrothermal method. Observations using electron microscopy revealed that the obtained NaV2O5 mesocrystals were composed of nanobelts with the preferential growth direction of [010]. The precise crystal structure was further confirmed by Rietveld refinement and Raman spectroscopy. Based on analysis of crystal structure and microscopy, a reaction and growth mechanism, hydrolysis-condensation (oxolation and olation)-ion exchange-self-assembly, was proposed and described in detail. Furthermore, electrochemical measurements were used to analyze the Na-ions intercalation/deintercalation abilities in NaV2O5, and indicated that Na-ions were difficult to extract. Importantly, the DFT theoretical calculation results, which showed that the migration energy of Na-ions was so huge that migration of Na-ions was quite difficult, can explain and support well the results of the electrochemical measurements.
Related Concept Videos
Ionic Crystal Structures
Most monatomic ions behave as charged spheres, and their attraction for ions of opposite charge is the same in every direction. Consequently, stable structures for ionic compounds result (1) when ions of one charge are surrounded by as many ions as possible of the opposite...
Imperfections in Crystal Structure: Stoichiometric Point Defects
Molecular and Ionic Solids
Molecular Solids
Molecular crystalline solids, such as ice, sucrose (table sugar), and iodine, are solids that are composed of neutral molecules as their constituent units. These molecules are held together by weak intermolecular forces such as London dispersion forces, dipole-dipole interactions, or hydrogen bonds, which...
Crystal Growth: Principles of Crystallization
Initiating crystallization involves manipulating the concentration of the solute and the temperature of the solution. Since crystal growth occurs when the ratio of concentration and solubility of the solute in the solvent...
Imperfections in Crystal Structure: Non-Stoichiometric Defects
Qualitative Analysis
For instance, group IV...

