The evaporation-induced self-assembly method using a novel diblock (poly(ethylene-co-butylene)-b-poly(ethylene oxide)) copolymer (KLE) provides fully crystalline mesoporous layers of TiO2 exhibiting high thermal stability up to 700 degrees C, high photocatalytic activity in the decomposition of methyl stearate and facile transformation into a substantially stable superhydrophilic state by 1 mW/cm(2) UV-illumination. (C) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.