Synthesis and thermal stability of W-doped VO2 nanocrystals

Pure and W-doped vanadium dioxide nanocrystals have been synthesized by using V2O5 and oxalic acid as precursors via a thermolysis method. The VO2 nanocrystals have a nearly spherical morphology with size ranging from 50 to 100 nm. The metal-insulator transition (MIT) temperature of the nanocrystals decreases with increasing W-doping content. The successive heat-induced fatigue character of the MIT in W-doped VO2 nanocrystals was investigated by DSC analysis together with structural study, and a high stability upon heating–cooling cycles was found with respect to MIT temperature, peak temperature and latent heat of the phase transition.