Photoelectrochemical decomposition of ethanol has been carried out in a two-electrode chemically biased photoelectrochemical cell by employing commercial nanocrystalline titania deposited on a conductive transparent electrode as photoanode. Hydrogen was generated in the Pt cathode compartment. The quantity of generated hydrogen, the current flow, the cell IV characteristics and the cell overall efficiency have been examined. (C) 2008 International Association for Hydrogen Energy. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.