Titanium minerals as prototypes of functional materials with pronounced electromagnetic properties

In this paper new crystalline materials were developed with pronounced electromagnetic properties, derived from titanium minerals, on the base of Academician N. P. Yushkin concept about mineralogical geomaterial science. Titanium minerals (rutile, anatase, ilmenite and others) are carriers of useful components (elements) and unique structures (nanotubes, nanocomposites and others). Titanium minerals were modified by hydrothermal method. The doping of TiO2 with silver was realized by sol-gel methods. The modified nanotubes of titanium dioxide by nitrogen and acid treatment were realized to study the influence of parameters (temperature, time of hydrothermal alkaline treatment, acid influence at washing, etc.) over nanomaterials properties. The characterization of minerals and synthesis products was realized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), TEM, SEAD, EDAX, X-ray fluorescence method, atomic force microscope (AFM), etc. We revealed the nature of the phases and the degree of crystallinity of TiO2-Ag nanocomposites with controlled particle sizes and electronic characteristics. Nanotubes made of TiO2 are an alternative material for waveguides with high data flow rates, compared to the materials used in fiber technology.