Abstract

Submicron Co doped TiO₂ nanotubes were synthesized by the tubes by fiber template approach. Polymer fiber templates were fabricated by electrospinning while the tubes were synthesized by sol-gel deposition followed by thermal degradation of the polymer core. The diameters of the tubes ranged between ~350 ± 100nm with an average wall thickness of ~100 ± 50nm from SEM and TEM analysis. PXRD analysis indicated Co was homogenously distributed within substitutional sites of the polycrystalline anatase phase of the TiO₂. Photoluminescence studies confirmed n-type doping as indicated by reduction in intensity of highest energy direct photoemission (~420nm) due to charge transfer as well as presence of photoemission at (~470nm) associated with the presence of oxygen vacancies. Magnetic studies results indicated that the Co doped TiO₂ tubes were paramagnetic at room temperature.