Electron paramagnetic resonance measurements were presented to investigate paramagnetic oxygen vacancies (F+ centers) in Co-doped TiO2 nanocrystals. Surface and interior F+ centers were manipulated by washing or/and annealing. Anisotropic surface F+ centers are so instable as to be destroyed at high temperature, while isotropic interior F+ centers are rather stable even at 430 degrees C. The correlation of ferromagnetism with F+ centers was observed, which provided direct experimental evidence for F+-center-mediated coupling in diluted magnetic oxides. (c) 2006 American Institute of Physics.