Synthesis of Fe(2)O(3)/TiO(2) nanorod-nanotube arrays by filling TiO(2) nanotubes with Fe.

Synthesis of hematite (α-Fe(2)O(3)) nanostructures on a titania (TiO(2)) nanotubular template is carried out using a pulsed electrodeposition technique. The TiO(2) nanotubes are prepared by the sonoelectrochemical anodization method and are filled with iron (Fe) by pulsed electrodeposition. The Fe/TiO(2) composite is then annealed in an O(2) atmosphere to convert it to Fe(2)O(3)/TiO(2) nanorod-nanotube arrays. The length of the Fe(2)O(3) inside the TiO(2) nanotubes can be tuned from 50 to 550 nm by changing the deposition time. The composite material is characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and diffuse reflectance ultraviolet-visible studies to confirm the formation of one-dimensional Fe(2)O(3)/TiO(2) nanorod-nanotube arrays. The present approach can be used for designing variable one-dimensional metal oxide heterostructures.