Distinct local structure of nanoparticles and nanowires of V ₂O₅ probed by x-ray absorption spectroscopy

We have used V K-edge x-ray absorption spectroscopy to study local structures of bulk, nanoparticles and nanowires of V₂O₅. The extended x-ray absorption fine structure measurements show different local displacements in the three morphologically different V₂O₅ samples. It is found that the nanowires have a significantly ordered chain structure in comparison to the V₂O₅ bulk. In contrast, nanoparticles have larger interlayer disorder. The x-ray absorption near-edge structure spectra show different electronic structure that appears to be related with the local atomic disorder in the three V₂O₅ samples.