Abstract. Au–TiO2 nanocomposite microspheres were prepared by hydrothermal treatment of precipitates of tetrabutyl titanate (Ti(OC4H9)4) in a mixed solution of water, ethanol and Au colloid particles at 180 oC for 7 h. The as-prepared products were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, nitrogen sorption, UV–visible diffuse r…