In this study we employed hydrogen peroxide etching of Ti films as a straightforward method to synthesize hydrogenated TiO2 nanoplumes. The material was extensively characterized, showing, among other special features, the inclusion of OH groups. These groups together with-the generated structural defects and the nanostructuration are crucial for the high photocatalytic properties under ultraviolet (UV) and visible (VIS) light irradiation. In particular, nanoplumes show a reaction rate about 5 times the rate of TiO2 flat films. Furthermore, nanoplumes display a significant antibacterial activity under VIS light irradiation, compared with TiO2 films. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.