In the past few decades, there has been a wide research interest in titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) nanomaterials due to their applications in photocatalytic hydrogen generation and environmental pollution removal. Improving the optical absorption properties of TiO 2 nanomaterials has been successfully demonstrated to enhance their photocatalytic activities, especially in the report of black TiO 2 nanoparticles. The recent progress in the investigation of black TiO 2 nanomaterials has been reviewed here, and special emphasis has been given on their fabrication methods along with their various chemical/physical properties and applications. Recent progress in the preparation, properties and applications of black TiO 2 nanomaterials is reviewed.