TiP2O7 carbon composite photocatalyst was successfully prepared by using ion-exchanged resin (C467) containing amino phosphate by metal ion-exchanged carbothermal reduction (MIER-CTR) method using TiCl3 and TiCl4. During the carbonization process in nitrogen, the pre-oxidation (300-350degreesC) in air is essential for producing homogeneously dispersed TiP2O7 on the carbon matrix. In the absence of pre-oxidation. the resin was melted. The carbonization temperature 500degreesC was found to be suitable for producing single phase TiP2O7 with higher yields. Powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopic results suggest the formation of TiP2O7, while X-ray diffraction results reveal that the crystallite size was less than 35 nm. UV-Vis studies show that the band gap of TiP2O7 was 3.32 eV. The TiP2O7 carbon composite catalyst was applied for the photocatalytic decomposition of 2-propanol at 30degreesC using a mercury lamp (365 nm). (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.