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Vanadium dioxide [vanadium(IV) oxide, (VO2)] is one of four relatively common oxides of vanadium. Others are
- vanadium monoxide [vanadium(II) oxide, VO];
- vanadium sesquioxide or trioxide [vanadium(III) oxide, V2O3]; and
- vanadium pentoxide [vanadium(V) oxide, V2O5].
In addition, several mixed vanadium oxides exist, many in nature. Examples are V3O7 (VO2 + V2O5) and V4O7 (2VO2 + V2O3). The vast range of vanadium oxides differ widely in terms of color, crystal structure, and chemical properties.
VO2 itself is sometimes expressed as V2O4, V4O8, or other VnO2n聽formulas, depending on its crystalline symmetry. At temperatures less than 67 潞C, VO2 has a monoclinic crystal structure (shown). When heated to more than 67 潞C, it transitions to a tetragonal structure. At the same temperature, crystalline VO2 converts from an electrical insulator to a conductor.
But wait, there鈥檚 more: In 2013, a team led by Masaki Nakano at the RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science (Wako) and Tohoku University (both in Japan) built on the insulator鈥揷onductor phenomenon to affect light transmission through VO2 glass. It had previously been shown that low-temperature (<30 潞C) VO2 glass is transparent to infrared (IR) radiation, but at >60 潞C, it reflects IR light. Nakano et al. accomplished the same result by . This discovery is the basis of new field-effect transistors.
And still more: In 2017, Olivier Delaire at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (TN) and Duke University (Durham, NC); Junqiao Wu at the University of California, Berkeley, and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory; and colleagues worldwide showed that VO2 violates the venerable (1853) Wiedemann鈥揊ranz law, which holds that the ratio of the electronic component of the thermal conductivity of a metal to its electrical conductivity is proportional to the metal鈥檚 temperature. At and below the insulator鈥揷onductor transition temperature, the electronic thermal conductivity is anomalously low, which, the authors state, 鈥�"
What will scientists discover next about VO2?
Vanadium dioxide聽hazard information
Hazard class* | Hazard statement | |
---|---|---|
Acute toxicity, oral, category 4 | H302鈥擧armful if swallowed | ![]() |
Skin corrosion/irritation, category 2 | H315鈥擟auses skin irritation | ![]() |
Serious eye damage/eye irritation, category 2A | H319鈥擟auses serious eye irritation | ![]() |
Acute toxicity, inhalation, category 4 | H332鈥擧armful if inhaled | ![]() |
Specific target organ toxicity, single exposure, respiratory tract irritation, category 3 | H335鈥擬ay cause respiratory irritation | ![]() |
*Safety data sheets vary widely; some state that VO2 is not classified or is not a hazardous substance.
**Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals.
Vanadium dioxide
fast facts
CAS Reg. No. | 12036-21-4 |
nomenclature | Vanadium oxide (VO2) |
Empirical formula | O2V |
Molar mass | 82.94 g/mol |
Appearance | Dark blue, black, or gray crystals or powder |
Melting point | 1967 潞C |
Water solubility | Insoluble |

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