A facile and template-free approach was used to synthesize borated meso-macroporous TiO 2 via adding TBT to boric solution following calcination. Borated mesoporous TiO 2 solid sphere was obtained via adding the mixture of TBT and n-butanol under identical condition. Both borated meso-macroporous and mesoporous spherical TiO 2 are of anatase, as proved by the XRD measurements. FT-IR and XPS results showed that boron might be incorporated in the TiO 2 with the formation of B-O-Ti bonds. SEM results indicate macroporous and spherical structure with a diameter of ca. 3 lm. TEM and N 2 adsorption verified the existence of mesopore. The average pore sizes and BET surface areas are 3.1 nm, 5.7 nm and 148 m 2 /g, 64 m 2 /g for borated meso-macroporous and mesoporous spherical TiO 2 , respectively. Both materials showed good photocatalytic activity for degrading rhodamine B (RhB) under exposure to UV light. Borated mesoporous TiO 2 sphere showed higher photocatalytic activity than commercial photocatalyst P25.