The aim of the present research is to determine the optimum hydrothermal synthesis procedure for using TiO2-based one-dimensional materials as photocatalysts for air treatment applications, in order to enhance their mineralization capacity. The prepared samples were thoroughly characterized by means of TEM. N-2 adsorption-desorption isotherms. XRD and Raman spectroscopy. Trichloroethylene (ICE) was selected as a convenient model volatile organic compound (VOC) due to its elevated reactivity. In this study, it is described how the selection of the synthesis parameters (TiO2 precursor, hydrothermal treatment conditions, washing procedure or calcination temperature) allows modulating the nanotubes physicochemical characteristics and, thus, photoactivity. The optimization process led to nanotubes with remarkable photocatalytic performance, with high ICE conversion and selectivity to CO2, which can be favourably compared to that of the benchmark photocatalyst Degussa P25. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.