N-doped TiO2 powders were prepared by two different sol-gel methods. Samples were characterised by X-ray diffraction (XRD), BET specific surface area measurements (SSA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR). XPS measurements revealed a signal at 400 eV assignable to nitrogen in the form of Ti-N-O. EPR signals are attributed to molecular NO trapped with cavities/defects possibly interacting with oxygen vacancies. The photocatalytic activity under UV and visible light was determined following the abatement of NOx and the photodegradation of 2-propanol in gas-solid systems. N-doped TiO2 showed a higher activity compared with the pristine commercial and home prepared samples under visible light irradiation. A good photoactivity in the abatement of both NOx and 2-propanol is also observed for mechanical dispersions of N-TiO2 in CaCO3 serving as a model in view of perspective application in photocatalytically active construction and architectural materials. (c) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.