This study describes the application of novel chemistry methods for the fabrication of robust nanostructured titanium oxide (TiO2) photocatalysts. Such materials can be applied in the development of efficient photocatalytic systems for the treatment of water. Mesoporous photocatalytic TiO2 films and membranes were synthesized via a simple synthesis method that involves dip-coating of appropriate substrates into an organic/inorganic sol composed of isopropanol, acetic acid, titanium tetraisopropoxide, and polyoxyethylenesorbitan monooleate surfactant (Tween 80) followed by calcination of the coating at 500 degrees C. Controlled hydrolysis and condensation reactions were achieved through in-taking of water molecules released from the esterification reaction of acetic acid with isopropanol. The subsequent stable incorporation of Ti-O-Ti network onto self-assembled surfactants resulted in TiO2 photocatalysts with enhanced structural and catalytic properties. The properties included high surface area (147 m(2)/g) and porosity (46%), narrow pore size distribution ranging from 2 to 8 nm, homogeneity without cracks and pinholes, active anatase crystal phase, and small crystallite size (9 nm). These TiO2 photocatalysts were highly efficient for the destruction of methylene blue and creatinine in water. High water permeability and sharp polyethylene glycol retention of the prepared photocatalytic TiO2/Al2O3 composite membranes evidenced the good structural properties of TiO2 films. In addition, the multi-coating procedure made it possible to effectively control the physical properties of TiO2 layer such as the coating thickness, amount of TiO2, photocatalytic activity, water permeability and organic retention. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.