In-situ deposition of Co nanoparticles in discharged TiO2 nanotube array with enhanced magnetic property

Titanium oxide (TiO₂) nanotube array is prepared by an anodization method, and the TiO₂ nanotube array and a lithium foil are used as working and counter electrodes, respectively, to assemble a lithium-ion battery. After discharge to 0.01 V, the TiO₂ nanotube array is reducible. Metallic Co nanoparticles are in-situ deposited into the discharged TiO₂ nanotube array in saturated cobalt acetate in N-N dimethylformamide solution for the first time. The sample exhibits enhanced magnetic properties after calcination at 500 °C in a reducing agent. The morphology, structure and magnetic properties of the samples are characterized and analyzed in detail. This work provides a new method for the synthesis of one-dimensional functional materials by using TiO₂ nanotube array template.