pic vref
I have used a 2.5V ADC reference with this PIC running at 5V successfully for ADC readings, but this is not the recommended range. If Vdd is 3V or more, like the typical 5V for instance, the range limits between Vref+ and Vref- is 3V. It can be more, but not less. In some applications using a 4.096V reference is popular because of the nice voltage division values.
According to the chart from the datasheet (below) you can have as little as 1.8V difference between Vref+ and Vref- if your primary Vdd voltage to ground is less than 3V. Remember, if you choose to power the PIC with less voltage (down to 2V is possible), you cannot run at the highest oscillator speeds. You will have to reduce the oscillator according to the datasheet's chart.
Here is the datasheet chart... note A20:
**broken link removed**