Uniform sized silica and zirconia mixed titania samples were prepared in presence of a surfactant (CETAB) using controlled hydrolysis of corresponding metal alkoxides. Photocatalytic activity towards reduction of lead and cadmium metal in aqueous solution was evaluated both in UV and visible light in a 100 ml capacity reactor. In particular mixing of 10 wt% silica with titania not only increases the surface area of the material but also increases the photocatalytic activity in UV light. Whereas mixing of zirconia with titania proved to be beneficial for visible light reaction. However, addition of hole scavenger increases the activity many folds and complete removal of Pb2+ and Cd2+ was possible in 60 min of reaction using synthesized catalysts. Among all the organic hole scavengers used, sodium formate is found to be the most active one. Interestingly quite high metal removal (89%) is also observed in presence of visible light within 60 min of reaction. Thus the above study indicates that the presence of certain oxides in low quantity (10 wt%) with titania can facilitates the photocatalytic process selectively in UV as well as visible light. (C) 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.