Titania nanocrystals in rutile form were prepared in liquid phase at room temperature under normal pressure, avoiding the transformation of anatase-to-rutile. The process of preparation involves two stages: precipitating and peptizing. Precipitates of titanium(IV) obtained in the precipitation process were rearranged orientationaly, to form crystals during the process of peptizing. Results showed that lower peptizing temperatures were in favor of the formation of rutile TiO2, while anatase phase began to appear with the peptizing temperature higher than 70 degreesC. The phase and crystal size of the resulting titania crystals were also influenced by the conditions of the first stage (precipitation reaction). The mechanism of the formation of rutile titania in liquid system at room temperature can be confirmed by "growth unit" theory. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V All rights reserved.