Facile synthesis and electrical switching properties of V2O3 powders

V2O3 powders were synthesized with mercaptoacetic acid (C2H4O2S) as reducing agent and stabilizer via a facile hydrothermal approach. The crystalline structure, surface morphology, valence state of the derived V2O3 powders were characterized via X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. It was found that the ratio and reaction time played a duel role in the formation and morphology of the V2O3 powders. The metal-insulator transition properties of V2O3 powders were studied by the differential scanning calorimetry curve and variable temperature Raman spectra. The change in electrical resistance due to the metal-insulator transition was measured from 80 to 240 K using physical property measurement system. The results showed V2O3 samples had excellent electrical switching properties with resistance changes as large as 10(4). This simple and fast synthesis approach makes the V2O3 powders easily accessible for exploring their fundamental properties and potential applications in novel electronic devices. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.