Lotus-leaf-structured TiO2 nanocrystals were prepared by a novel simple two-step method. TiO2 nanocrystals obtained by two-step method exhibited better photocatalytic activity than the as-prepared TiO2 nanocrystal obtained by one-step liquid phase deposition method. Even compared with commercial TiO2 photocatalyst with the smaller average size (similar to 7 nm), lotus-leaf-structured TiO2 nanocrystals exhibited better photocatalytic activity. The possible reason for the good photocatalytic activity was also investigated. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.