Uniform and adhesive TiO2 nanotube arrays (TiO2-NTAs) have been prepared by a two-step anodization in ethylene glycol solution containing NRIF. The UV-light-activity of TiO2-NTAs prepared by changing the electrolytic voltage and calcination temperature was studied for the degradation of 2-naphthol. Further, the surface of TiO2-NTA has been modified with iron oxide species at a molecular scale by the chemisorption-calcination cycle technique. The iron oxide-surface modification endows TiO2-NTA with a high level of visible-light-activity, concomitantly increasing the UV-light-activity. Under optimum conditions, the iron oxide-surface modified TiO2-NTA exhibits a UV-light-activity comparable with that of highly active TiO2 particles (P-25. Degussa). (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.