Photoabsorption properties of titanium(IV) oxide powders were investigated by photoacoustic (PA) spectroscopy. The photoacoustic spectra obtained under steady-state ultraviolet irradiation showed appearance and growth of two kinds of PA signal bands, which were attributable to trivalent titanium species (Ti3+) and trapped holes or surface peroxide species. The saturation limit of the PA signal was estimated by analyzing the time course of Ti3+ Signals and compared to the density of Ti3+ determined by a photochemical method. The results suggest that the photoacoustic spectroscopic technique is a feasible alternative method for estimation of Ti3+ as an empirical measure of defect density. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.