Abstract
We demonstrate attachment of first-row transition metal ions to the surface of TiO 2 nanorods. The metallated TiO 2 nanorods were characterized with TEM, powder XRD, UV-visible, XAS, XPS, ICP-AES elemental analysis, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The materials can be readily studied using computational methods to provide valuable theoretical insight to the electron structure properties as well as charge-carrier dynamics. The materials are a testbed in which a feedback loop of computational and experimental results could guide the project toward the ultimate goal of creating optimized photocatalysts for solar energy utilization.