Porous titania with anatase phase was prepared via thermal hydrolysis of industrial titanyl sulfate solution, and subsequent calcination at different temperature. The as-prepared powders were characterized by TG, DSC, XRD, particle size distribution test, N-2 adsorption-desorption isotherm and SEM. Raising calcination temperature could accelerate the crystal growth, enlarge its specific surface area, pore diameter, and improve its photocatalytic activity. While too high temperature could destroy the pore structure even collapse. The optimal calcination temperature is 550 degrees C, and the obtained sample showed good thermal stability and high photocatalytic activity, with specific surface area of 189.3 m(2)/g and higher degree of crystallinity, and its photocatalytic degradation rate of methylene blue was of 95.76%. (C) 2011 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.