Mesoporous single-crystal-based TiO2 microspheres decorated by carbon nitride for obviously improved photocatalytic performance and recyclability

•Mesoporous single-crystal-based TiO2 microspheres have been prepared by hard templating.•The single-crystal-based microspheres have been decorated by graphitic carbon nitride (CN/PT).•The CN/PT composites display excellent photocatalytic activity and recyclability.•Z-scheme mechanism and increased surface active sites contribute to the enhanced photoactivity.