Vanadium oxide thin films are formed via the hydrolysis and condensation of vanadium alkoxides. Sol-gel chemistry provides a chemical control over condensation reactions and different materials are actually obtained depending on experimental conditions. The hydrolysis of vanadium alkoxide in the presence of an excess of water leads to ribbon-like particles of hydrated oxide V205.nH20. Coatings with a preferred orientation are then deposited from these gels. They exhibit improved electrochemical properties as reversible cathodes for lithium batteries. Amorphous oxo-polymers are formed via the partial hydrolysis of vanadium alkoxides. They allow the deposition of optically transparent thin films that could be used in electrochromic display devices. Moreover, alkoxide derived films can be easily reduced into vanadium dioxide.
