In this paper, carbon modified titanium dioxide nanotubes (hereafter denoted as CTNTs) were synthesized via a hydrothermal method, followed by ethanol washing and then heat-treatment steps. The physicochemical properties of CTNTs were investigated by XRD, BET, HR-TEM, TG-FTIR and UV-Vis spectra. The resultant CTNTs were then utilized for the removal of elemental mercury (Hg-0) under the irradiation of visible light LED. Experimental results revealed that the CTNTs had a good adsorption capability and photocatalytic oxidation ability for the removal of Hg-0, particularly for the catalyst that was calcinated at 300 degrees C. We proposed that the activity promotion for the CTNTs was mainly attributed to three aspects: the abundant adsorption sites for Hg-0, the well sustained nanotubes structure and the expanded light adsorption spectrum of CTNTs. Furthermore, the roles of influence factors such as empty bed retention time, O-2 concentration, SO2 concentration and NO concentration, were investigated. The experimental results verified that white light LED lamp was a suitable light source for the application of photocatalytic oxidation process. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.