The photocatalytic properties of titanium dioxide (TiO2) make it an attractive material for environmental remediation. In the present study, lanthanum (La3+)-doped TiO2 nanotubes with excellent photocatalytic activity were fabricated by a combination of sol-gel method and hydrothermal technique. The optimal preparation parameters were determined by the structural characterization using a range of methods and the photocatalytic degradation of gaseous ethylbenzene (EB). Compared with pure TiO2 nanopartides, 1.2%-La3+-doped - titania nanotubes (1.2%-La3+-TNTs) exhibited higher activity under 254 nm UV for conversion of EB. The initial EB concentrations and relative humidity (RH) obviously influenced the photocatalytic activity of 1.2%-La3+-TNTs. Kinetic analysis showed that surface adsorption and surface reaction controlled the rate-determining step for RH of 40-50% and >80%, respectively. Gas chromatography and mass spectrometry were used to analyze the intermediates generated in the conversion of EB, allowing a tentative decomposition pathway to be proposed. The prepared photocatalyst exhibited enhanced EB conversion compared with undoped TiO2, and showed a promise for the decomposition of recalcitrant compounds before subsequent biopurification. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.