Structural, Optical and Magnetic Properties of Nanocrystalline Cobalt Doped TiO2 Prepared by Sol-Gel Route

Nanocrystalline Cobalt-doped TiO2 was prepared by Sol-Gel technique, followed by freeze-drying treatment at -30 degrees C temperature for 12hrs. The obtained Gel was thermally treated at 200,400,600, 800 degrees C. 1%, 2% and 4% Cobalt doped TiO2 nano powder has been prepared X-ray Powder Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron microscopy (SEM), Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), was used to study its structural properties. The XRD pattern shows the coexistence of anatase phase and rutile phase. Thermal gravimetric analysis shows Cobalt concentration affects thermal decomposition. UV-Vis Spectroscopy, Photo luminescence (PL), was used to study its Optical properties. Optical Bandgap were calculated with the incorporation of different concentration of cobalt. UV-Visible spectroscopy show variation in band gap for the sample treated at different temperature for same concentration. All Cobalt doped TiO2 nanostructures shows an appearance of Red shift relative to the bulk TiO2. The determination of magnetic properties was also carried out by Vibrating Sample Magnetometer.