Formation of nanostructures on the surface of polycrystalline V2O5 under the influence of a high-power ion beam

Surface morphology and structural-phase changes in polycrystalline V2O5 under the influence of a high-power nanosecond ion beam with a current density of 20–100 A/cm2 were studied. It was revealed that a single action of the beam with a current density of 50 A/cm2 leads to formation on the V2O5 surface of a continuous layer of nanoplates with a typical size of ∼1 μm across and up to ∼40 nm thick. At the current density of 100 A/cm2, the layers of nanoplates are formed around cracks in the surface layer of V2O5. Possible mechanisms of formation of nanoplates are discussed.