Oriented molecular attachments through sol-gel chemistry for synthesis of ultrathin hydrated vanadium pentoxide nanosheets and their applications

Ultrathin single-crystalline V₂O₅·0.76H ₂O nanosheets with a thickness of 1.5-2.6 nm are prepared on the basis of molecular-level 'oriented attachment' through special sol-gel chemistry. The initial formation of 3-7 nm nanodiscs by confining the condensation reactions within the ab plane is critical to form nanosheets. As a proof-of-concept, these nanosheets exhibit good properties for hydrogen sensors and supercapacitors.