Unexpected photocatalytic properties of templated precursors of nanostructured TiO2 (titania) were observed in the development of a generally applicable method for the synthesis of a truly nanocrystalline titania at temperatures compatible with plastic catalytic supports. It specifically comprised the '' self-activation '' feature of the TiO2 nanostructured precursor (produced within the non-ionic surfactant template) likely induced by the preparation method '' imprinted '' photoactivity. Such behavior complied with the principal aim to develop the photocatalytic material without recourse to any significant thermal step.