Optimized synthesis of Ti-precursor 'titanylnitrate' for one step combustion synthesis of N- and C-doped TiO 2 catalysts were reported and characterized by using powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), diffused reflectance UV-vis spectroscopy, N 2 adsorption and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). XRD confirmed the formation of TiO 2 anatase and nano-crystallite size which was further confirmed by TEM. UV-DRS confirmed the decrease in the band gap to less than 3.0 eV, which was assigned due to the presence of C and N in the framework of TiO 2 as confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Degradation of methylene blue in aqueous solution under the direct sunlight was carried out and typical results indicated the better performance of the synthesized catalysts than Degussa P-25. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd.