TiO2 films were synthesized by immobilization of Degussa P25 powders on stainless steel support by spray pyrolysis technique. After preparation, the films were annealed at different temperatures in order to obtain materials with different morphological, structural, and textural properties. The photocatalytic activity of obtained films was investigated by monitoring the degradation of arylazo pyridone dye. The results showed that with increasing annealing temperature the photoactivity of films decreased. A comparative photocatalytic activity of the synthesized films and corresponding commercial powders was evaluated under the same experimental conditions. Films generally showed lower photoactivity than powders, due to mass transfer limitations inside film layer, smaller surface exposure to light, and possible presence of metal ions in film layer. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.