On 14 January 2026, at the Nguyen Van Cu campus of the VNUHCM–University of Science (HCMUS), a session was convened by the Evaluation Council for the VNUHCM-level Science and Technology project: “Research on the fabrication of vanadium pentoxide (V₂O₅) micro-nanostructures for photocatalytic applications”, led by Dr Lê Khắc Tốp.

According to the report, the research group focused on investigating three critical parameters influencing the photocatalytic activity of V₂O₅ materials: material morphology, the formation of V₂O₅/RGO nanocomposites, and the excitation light source. Pure V₂O₅, synthesised via the hydrothermal method in various morphologies, exhibited limited photocatalytic efficiency. This limitation stems primarily from the conduction band characteristics of V₂O₅, which facilitate the recombination of electrons and holes, thereby reducing reaction efficacy.

To address this challenge, the team produced graphene oxide using an improved Hummer’s method, subsequently blending this with V₂O₅ to create a nanocomposite precursor. A slow reduction process followed to obtain the final V₂O₅/RGO material. Findings indicate that the presence of RGO facilitates more efficient electron transport, significantly diminishing electron–hole recombination and enhancing the photocatalytic performance of the material.

The V₂O₅/RGO nanocomposite demonstrates marked improvements in structural characteristics, particularly an increased surface area compared to pure V₂O₅. Consequently, photocatalytic efficiency has risen substantially under natural lighting conditions. The study further confirms the vital role of the excitation light source: under ultraviolet light, electrons are activated effectively, allowing the photocatalytic efficiency of the V₂O₅/RGO material to reach approximately 90% and causing the reaction rate to increase sharply relative to the original material.

The effective integration of these three research parameters—material morphology, nanocomposite structure, and light source—offers a promising approach to bolstering the photocatalytic performance of V₂O₅. Such advancements contribute to the development of solutions for environmental remediation and clean energy production.

Concluding the session, the Evaluation Council remarked that the project was implemented according to schedule, fulfilling all objectives and requirements; the research results possess significant scientific value and high potential for practical application. The Council unanimously awarded the project an ‘Excellent’ rating. These findings provide a crucial scientific foundation for developing high-performance photocatalytic materials, offering prospects for future applications across various technological and environmental sectors.