MICROPOROUS VANADIUM PENTAOXIDE .1. VANADYL ISOPROPOXIDE IN MICROEMULSIONS

Vanadium pentaoxide nanoparticles can be made by adding vanadyl isopro poxide to water contained in a reverse microemulsion of Aerosol OT in toluene. First-order rate constants of this process are on the order o f 40 s(-1), as measured using a stopped flow reactor, These rate const ants are directly proportional to the water concentration and inversel y related to the surfactant concentration. While this behavior is inco nsistent with earlier theories for reactions in dilute detergent solut ions, it is consistent with a reaction limited by alkoxide transport a cross a thick surfactant layer surrounding the micelles' water core.