A facile large scale synthesis of high surface area anatase TiO2 nano material has been carried out by using the solution combustion synthesis with very widely available urea as fuel. The as-obtained puffy powder of anatase TiO2 was characterised by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area analysis, ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) techniques in order to analyse the structural, optical and surface properties of the synthesised material. Diffuse UV–vis spectroscopic data show a red shift in absorption spectra which may be attributed to the possible energy levels added in between the band edges of TiO2 due to the C and N doping as confirmed by XPS. Photocatalytic activity of the catalyst was assessed by the photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange under visible light irradiation. The effect of an electron acceptor in order to maximise the electron trapping for further inhibiting exciton recombination and thereby enhancing the oxidation of dyes has also been studied by using peroxomono sulphate(PMS) as the electron acceptor. © 2013, © 2013 Taylor & Francis.