Surface modification of elongated one-dimensional titanium dioxide structures with ferromagnetic nanoparticles

Abstract

Nanostructured TiO₂ in the form of elongated one-dimensional structures having a highly ordered layered morphology, with cobalt-containing agglomerates on their surface, has been prepared by hydrothermal treatment of CoTiO₃ powder in the presence of chitosan, a bioactive natural polymer. The synthesis products have been characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, IR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, elemental analysis, and magnetic measurements. The structures have been shown to be up to several microns in length, and their typical width ranges from 100 to 400 nm. The one-dimensional structures retain high thermal stability at calcination temperatures of up to 800°C. After vacuum heat treatment at 600°C and above, the nanostructured material possesses anomalously high ferromagnetic characteristics.