Rutile nano titania powders have been synthesized by direct hydrolysis of TiCl_3 solutions under mild conditions. The rutile powders possess needelike morphology and have high surface area of 74. 5 m~-2/g。It shows very high photoactivity in the phenol degradation reaction, even higher than the commercial power Degaussa P-25. Large scale productio of rutile powders with particle size in the range of 100 to 200 nm can be performed using (CH_3)_4NOH as precipitant.

Key words: TITANIUM CHLORIDE, RUTILE TYPE STRUCTURE, NANOPHASE MATERIALS, TITANIUM OXIDE, TEM, PHENOL, DEGRADATION