Novel high-performance Yb, N, P-tridoped anatase-TiO2 nano-composite photocatalysts were successfully prepared by a modified sol-solvothermal process. The physicochemical properties of as-prepared samples were characterized X-ray diffraction, N2 physical adsorption–desorption, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, UV–vis absorbance spectroscopy, photoluminescence spectroscopy and zeta potential measurements. The photocatalytic activities were evaluated by degradation of methylene blue (MB) under visible light and UV irradiation, respectively. The results indicated that Yb, N, P-tridoped TiO2 with P-doping amount of 5wt.% exhibited the highest photoactivity not only under UV irradiation but also under visible light irradiation among all as-prepared undoped, single-doped and codoped samples, which should ascribed to a synergetic effect of actions played by Yb, N and P. The possible synergetic mechanism for photocatalysis was also discussed. The excellent performance endows the Yb, N, P-tridoped anatase-TiO2 nano-photocatalysts potential in environmental purification. This research provides an effective strategy for the synthesis of novel high-performance TiO2 nano-composite photocatalytic materials.