Pyrogenically prepared titanium dioxide doped by means of an aerosol contains an oxide from the group zinc oxide, platinum oxide, magnesium oxide and/or aluminium oxide as the doping component. It is prepared as follows: in the pyrogenic preparation of titanium dioxide, a metal salt solution is atomised to form an aerosol and injected into the production stream. The titanium dioxide may be used as a photocatalyst or as a UV adsorber or in processes for purification of waste water or waste air/gases.