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Graphical abstract Figure illustrates functions of (a) pre-oxidized CNHs and (b) post-oxidised CNH as co-catalyst and sensitizer respectively. Highlights • A simple wet-chemical method adopted for Carbon Nanohorn-TiO 2 nanohybrid photocatalyst. • Extended absorption in visible spectrum is recorded for TiO 2 dispersed on Carbon Nanohorn. • Enhanced H 2 production for Nanohybrids of pre-oxidized CNHs than pristine TiO 2. • Nano-windows on CNHs showed better surface and electro-chemical activity for photocatalyst. Abstract Carbon nanohorns were prepared using Arc discharge method in an open air at stationary cathode. Nanohybrids of carbon nanohorns/titania were synthesized by wet impregnation method followed by thermal oxidation in air at 520 °C for 30 min. Alternatively, pre-oxidized carbon nanohorns were prepared at the same conditions to examine any change in surface properties. Nanohybrids were subjected to characterization for its structure, morphology, optical properties and life-time of photogenerated electrons and holes. The photocatalytic performance of the two nanohybrids activated by solar light confirmed that pre-oxidized catalyst showed superior performance followed by post-oxidised and pristine catalyst. Hence, present study delineates the benefits of pre-oxidation process that generated nanowindows morphology on carbon surface that facilitated increased generation, effective utilization and minimizes the recombination of electron-hole pairs in-turn triggered enhanced hydrogen production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]