Anatase TiO 2 nanocrystals have been successfully synthesized using a simple mixed template method. The mixed template allows access to larger surface area, smaller size and higher crystallinity TiO 2 particles in comparison with single template. XRD and TEM show the TiO 2 nanocrystals have high crystallinity with the size of 3–5 nm. UV–VIS spectra suggested that the anatase phase TiO 2 nanocrystals had obvious quantum confinement effect with blue shifting. The measurement of photocatalytic activity indicated that large surface area and high crystallinity of the TiO 2 nanocrystals contributed to highly photocatalytic activity.