Facile synthesis of solution-disposable carbon nanotube–TiO2 hybrids in organic media

Oleic acid-capped TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) were directly grown on untreated multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) from a stable titanium carboxylate complex through a solvothermal aminolysis process in organic media. The shape of the TiO2 NPs loaded on the MWCNTs can be controlled from nanodots (∼ 3 nm in diameter) to nanorods (∼ 5 nm in diameter, 30–40 nm in length) by changing solvent components and by Co2+ doping. The resulting hybrids can be well dispersed in apolar organic solvents, which may provide possibilities for manipulating them in solutions for widespread applications.