Vanadium oxide is known by the chemical formula V2O5. It is also called vanadium pentoxide. It is recognized as an essential vanadium compound. When it is heated, the oxygen from the compound is completely lost. The compound catalyzes several known aerobic oxidation reactions, most of them being used in the manufacturing of sulfur dioxide and sulfuric acid. It is a hazardous orange solid known for its increased oxidation condition and is highly preferred as an oxidizing agent. Dissimilar to other metal oxides, it dissolves slowly in water because of hydrolysis.

V2O5, the formula means that the compound consists of 5 oxidation states of vanadium and two oxidation states of oxygen.

Preparation

In natural form, the compound is used to produce vanadium and ferrovanadium. When it is in raw form, the ore has a high content of sodium carbonate to generate sodium metavanadate. Further, the ingredient is acidified to pH 2-3 through H2SO4 to produce a red cake. It is then melted to generate the raw V2O5.

It is the major product if you heat vanadium with excessive oxygen.

Uses of vanadium oxide

The major use of vanadium oxide is the production of sulfuric acid, a major chemical used in industries. Vanadium helps to catalyze the exothermic sulfur dioxide oxidation to reduce it to sulfur trioxide through the contact procedure.

After using V2O5 as a catalyst, it has now become simple for industries to produce sulfuric acid at a cheap price. The chemical reaction is done at a temperature between 400 degrees to 620 degrees. 

Additionally, it is further useful as a catalyst in the emission of NOx in power plants. Because of its efficiency in transforming sulfur dioxide into sulfur trioxide and then H2SO4, major attention should be given to the operating temperature and use of power plants.

Different oxidations

Maleic anhydride is also a major chemical compound that is useful for the production of polyester and alkyl resins. The compound V2O5 can catalyze its manufacturing from several organic starting materials like benzene or furfural.

Other applications

With regards to quantity, the basic use of V2O5 is the manufacturing of ferrovanadium. The compound is heated using aluminum and scrap iron to produce iron vanadium alloy as well as byproduct alumina. 

This further raises the significance of V2O5, making it one of the most used materials for detector material in bolometers, and microbolometers.

Consistent research is going on with this product to bring it to new uses. The potential new uses involve the manufacturing of bismuth vanadate ceramics which are useful for solid oxide fuel cells. 

Biological activity

Regardless of its highly toxic feature, V2O5 is also found in some living beings like Ascidiacea. These beings also have protein vanabins. If V2O5 undergoes hydrolysis at increased pH, it forms vanadate. It is a type of enzyme that is useful for processing phosphate. 

These are some of the uses of vanadium oxide. It is a highly useful compound but should be handled with potential care. You can purchase it online at the best prices.