Ion-exchangable titanate nanotubes synthesized by the alkali treatment of TiO2 (anatase) were rendered photochemically active by decorating them with CdS nanoparticles through a simple wet chemical process. HRTEM, Raman and IR observations suggest that the activation could be caused by the strong coupling between the nanotube and the nanoparticles. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.