SERS Study of Co-doped TiO2 Nanoparticles

Single-phase Co-doped TiO₂(Co_xTi_1-xO₂) nanoparticles(NPs) synthesized via a simple sol-hydrothermal method were used as surface-enhanced Raman scattering(SERS) substrates. Interestingly, it was found that SERS signals were enhanced greatly compared to those of pure TiO₂ nanoparticles when an amount of Co²⁺ ions were doped into the TiO₂ lattice. Detailed results clearly show that Co element as Co²⁺ was incorporated into the TiO₂ lattice and the defects were created due to the substitution of Co²⁺ ions for the Ti⁴⁺ ions. The Co²⁺ doping increases the defect concentration of Co_xTi_1-xO₂ NPs. An amount of defects is beneficial to the charge-transfer so as to increase the SERS activities. A possible mechanism of charge-transfer from Co_xTi_1-xO₂ NPs to molecules was then briefly discussed.