Synthetic approaches/methodologies can change the properties of nanoparticles significantly. In this study, the photocatalytic property of self (Ti3+) doped TiO2 nanoparticles was modified by synthesizing through different routes. Solvothermal (T-Sol), sonochemical (T-Son) and polyol (T-Pol) methods were employed to prepare TiO2 nanoparticles and the photocatalytic activities of these samples were compared with that of the sample prepared by precipitation using ammonia solution (T-Ppt). All samples had particle size below 30 nm except T-Son, where small nanoparticles existed as large spherical agglomerates with size around 500 nm. Surface area and porosity measurements of these different TiO2 samples showed a significant dependency on the synthesis method. UV-Visible absorption spectra showed the onset of absorption at similar to 440 nm for all samples due to the presence of defect levels originating from anion vacancies. Photocatalytic activity for hydrogen generation decreased in the order T-Sol > T-Son > T-Pol > T-Ppt and the observed activity is correlated with their physical properties such as surface area and crystallinity. The hydrogen yield was highly enhanced by the addition of Pd metal as co-catalyst on the surface of TiO2 photocatalysts. Present experiments clearly demonstrate the importance of synthesis route to improve the photocatalytic activity of TiO2. (C) International Association for Hydrogen Energy. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.