Nanocrystalline titania powders doped with either zirconium or silicon were synthesized at low temperature via destabilization of ionic-liquid-like precursors. Titania materials prepared at low temperature (85 degrees C) consisted of anatase nanocrystals of about 25 nm, according to powder X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. Dopant incorporation was evaluated using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry, and it was found that dopant/titanium ratios in the powder (0.011 for Zr and 0.026 for Si) were lower than those in the precursor (0.11 for both). Low-temperature nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms displayed the characteristic hysteresis loop of mesoporous materials. Specific surface areas reached values of 130 and 155 m(2) g(-1) for Zr-doped and Si-doped TiO2, respectively. The photocatalytic activity of the synthesized nanopowders was tested using methyl orange and 4-chlorophenol as target pollutants. (C) 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.