N-[3-(Trimethoxysilyl)propyl]ethylenediamine (EDAS) silicate supported titanium dioxide nanotubes-gold ((TiO2 NTs-Au)(NCM)) nanocomposite material (EDAS/(TiO2 NTs-Au)(NCM)) was prepared by deposition-precipitation method and characterized by diffuse reflectance spectra, X-ray diffraction pattern, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area analysis, transmission electron micrographs, scanning electron micrographs and energy-dispersive X-ray spectra analysis. The photocatalytic activity of the EDAS/(TiO2 NTs-Au)(NCM) in the film form was investigated towards the reduction of toxic hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) into trivalent chromium (Cr(III)) in the presence of oxalic acid as an electron donor. The EDAS/(TiO2 NTs-Au)(NCM) film exhibited higher photocatalytic activity when compared to the photocatalytic activities of pristine TiO2 nanoparticles and TiO2 nanotubes (TiO2 NTs) which can be attributed to the effective photoinduced interfacial charge transfer from the (TiO2 NTs-Au)(NCM) to Cr(VI) through Au nanoparticles (Au-nps). The Au-nps present in the TiO2 NTs act as an electron sink for the photogenerated electrons that minimizes the charge recombination process at the TiO2 NTs. The Au-nps on the TiO2 NTs surface facilitates the transfer of photogenerated electrons to the Cr(VI) leading to the formation of Cr(III) ions. (c) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.