Cobalt-doped titania (Co-TiO

2

) nanomaterials were synthesized by the sol-gel method at different calcination temperatures. Using

Escherichia coli

(a)

Staphylococcus aureus

(b) and

Candida albicans

(c) as target strains

the antibacterial activity in visible light of the nanomaterials were studied. Co-TiO

2

nanomaterials were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD)

scanning electron microscopy (SEM)

transmission electron microscopy (TEM)

UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS)

Fourier transform infrared spectrum (FT-IR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The Co ions in the Co-TiO

2

nanomaterial exist in the form of CoTiO

3

phase. The antibacterial properties of Co-TiO

2

nanomaterials on

E. coli

(a)

S. aureus

(b) and

C. albicans

(c) were investigated with the oscillating flask method and the inhibition zone method. The nanomaterials calcined at 600℃ exhibit excellent antibacterial activity. The bacteriostatic rates for

E. coli

S. aureus

and

C. albicans

reached 99.5%

91.3% and 93.4% respectively. The diameters of the antibacterial rings were up to 36 mm

37 mm

30 mm r

espectively

and the clarity of the ring was clear. The antibacterial properties of Co-TiO

2

nanomaterials were compared with those of traditional silver sol

zinc oxide sol and Zn-doped TiO

2

nanomaterials The mechanism of the influences of Co ions doping on the antibacterial activity of TiO

2

nanomaterials was also discussed. The doping of Co ions inhibits the particle size of the antibacterial agent and extends the photocatalytic response range

thereby improving the photocatalytic performance of the antibacterial agent.