Nitrogen-doped titanium dioxide mesosponge was fabricated by transformation of TiO2 nanotube arrays using a facial solvothermal method. The structure, morphology and optical property were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and UV-vis diffusion reflection spectroscopy (DRS). A possible formation mechanism of N-doped TiO2 mesosponge has been proposed. The photoelectrochemical results indicate that N-doped TiO2 mesosponge prepared in ethanol solution of ammonia exhibits much higher photocurrent densities and the optimal photocatalytic activity. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.