The hydrothermally synthesized titanate nanotubes were first modified by silane coupling agent as a pillar support, and then calcined at 450 degrees C. Finally, the surface coated silica was etched by concentrated NaOH to obtain pure titanium dioxide nanotube. The nanotubes were characterized by X-ray diffraction, high-resolution scanning and transmission electron microscopy, N-2 adsorption-desorption isotherm measurements and photoluminescence spectra. The results revealed that titanium dioxide nanotubes have good tubular morphology, high anatase crystallinity and large surface area. Due to the better 1D nano-tubular morphology and higher separation efficiency of the photogenerated electron-hole pairs, titanium dioxide nanotube exhibits improved photocatalytic activity for the degradation of methyl orange. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.