Nanostructured TiO2 and mixed oxides of Ti and Fe, Hf, In, Mn or Zr -were prepared by homogeneous hydrolysis of aqueous solution of metal sulphates with urea. The oxides were characterised by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy, particle size distribution, surface area and porosity. The oxide materials consists of a few nanometre primary crystals (mainly anatase) arranged in a few micrometre regular spherical agglomerates with specific surface area 133-511 m(2) g(-1). The FTIR diffuse spectroscopy was used for monitoring chemical degradation of trimethylphosphate (TMP) as a surrogate for organo-phosphorus pesticides under ambient and higher temperatures. Undoped TiO2 and Ti,Mn,-mixed oxide were most active in cleavage (hydrolysis) of CH3O from TMP at room temperature and 100 degrees C. Cleavage of CH3O in the other studied mixed oxides was not complete until temperature exceeds the boiling point of TMP. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.