A method for deposition of vanadium(V) oxo species on zirconia using different vanadium(V) precursor ions is described. The samples are synthesized by suspension of the support (powder) in solutions containing: (i) the dioxovanadium(V) ion, VO2+; (ii) the yellow diperoxo anion, [VO(O-O)(2)](-) and (iii) the red monoperoxo cation, [VO(O-O)](+). The application of vanadium(V) peroxo complexes significantly increases the uptake of vanadium by zirconia. The state and localization of the VO, species on the surface of zirconia have been studied by FTIR, UV-Vis and XP spectroscopies.