Formation of self-assembled spherical-flower like nanostructures of cobalt doped anatase TiO2 and its optical band-gap

•Formation of self-assembled spherical-flower like Co doped TiO2 nanostructures.•XRD and Raman confirmed the anatase phase of the product.•TEM images exhibited clear morphology of doped TiO2 nanostructures.•The optical energy band-gap was observed, Eg=3.33 eV.

In this paper, 5% cobalt doped TiO2 (titania) nanostructures were synthesized by a simple and slow acid modified sol–gel method. The structural properties were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). XRD analysis reveals that the prepared product has a pure anatase phase with tetragonal symmetry devoid of any other secondary phase, Co-oxides or composites. Complementary phase information is provided by Raman spectroscopy. The TEM micrograph clearly shows gradual formation of a highly porous and beautiful spherical-flower like nanostructure in the vicinity of agglomerated form of synthesized Co doped anatase titania nanoparticles. UV–visible spectroscopy of the product demonstrates energy band-gap 3.33 eV.

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