The selective oxidation of glucose and degradation of phenol in liquid phase were studied in the presence of supported TiO2 photocatalysts. Photocatalysts were synthesized by a modified ultrasound-assisted sol-gel method. The fact of supporting TiO2 on zeolite type Y is giving more selective photocatalyst in glucose oxidation toward glucaric acid (GUA) and gluconic acid (GA) (total selectivity approx. 68%, after 10 min illumination time and 50%H2O/50%acetonitrile solvent composition) than the unsupported TiO2 and the commercially available photocatalyst Evonik P-25. Photocatalysts worked at room temperature, atmospheric pressure and very short reaction times (up to 15 min). Additionally, these photocatalysts were investigated in the mineralization of phenol as a cellulosic industries water contaminant. It was observed that fumed silica is a better option than zeolite as titania support in phenol aqueous degradation. Ultrasound-promoted sol-gel methodology is giving promising supported TiO2 photocatalysts for water purification and solar chemicals production. (c) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.