Paramagnetic defects in α-WxV2O5

Paramagnetic defects in α-W_xV₂O₅ have been studied by ESR. A model is proposed where the unpaired electron arising from a valence induction effect remains localized on a single vanadium ion near the W⁶⁺ along the b direction. Introducing W⁶⁺ leads to a lattice distortion which is more important than that in the case of Mo⁶⁺. A slight displacement of vanadium along the a direction is observed in the defect, V⁴⁺ showing a stronger tendency toward octahedral coordination than V⁵⁺.