In this paper, the ordered mesoporous TiO2 thin films that served as photoanodes for cathodic protection of SUS304 stainless steel (304SS) were prepared through the sal-gel and evaporation-induced self-assembly method. The as-prepared TiO2 thin films were calcined at 350 degrees C and 500 degrees C, and then characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the small-angle X-ray diffraction (SAXD) as well as the wide-angle X-ray powder diffraction (WAXD). Moreover, the photoelectrochemical properties of the mesoporous TiO2 thin films such as the open circuit potential (OCP), the photocurrent spectra as well as the Tafel polarization curves were also measured. The results showed that the more negative photopotential was observed for the mesoporous TiO2 films compared to the TiO2 films without mesoporous structures. Besides, the mesoporous TiO2 films calcined at 500 degrees C exhibited the more negative photopotential and larger photocurrent than that calcined at 350 degrees C. In conclusion, the mesoporous TiO2 films could provide the effective photogenerated cathodic protection for 304SS. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.