Thermal decomposition of vanadyl acetylacetonate

Using thermogravimetry, differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction, mass spectrometry, and Fourier transform IR spectroscopy, we have determined the composition of VO(acac)(2) thermal decomposition products and gained insight into the bond breaking sequence in this compound. A two-step annealing procedure has been proposed to ensure control over VO(acac)(2) to VO2 conversion processes without changing the oxidation state of vanadium in the preparation of VO2 films by a sol-gel process.