Water concentration controlled hydrolysis and crystallization in n-octanol to TiO2 nanocrystals with size below 10Â nm

► Controlled hydrolysis of alkoxide was realized by adjusting water concentration. ► Carrying out hydrolysis under different water concentration gave hydrolyzed intermediate with different composition. ► A precise size control below 10 nm for anatase TiO2 nanocrystals was realized.