The aggregation of nanoparticle catalysts is one of the main problems in catalytic reactions. In this study, a series of TiO 2 nanoparticle catalysts with various dispersions were prepared and applied in the catalytic oxidation of dibenzothiophene (DBT) systems. Compositions and structures of the as-prepared samples were analyzed by means of wide-angle X-ray diffraction, Raman and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopies. The dispersions of TiO 2 nanoparticles were controlled by calcining at various temperatures and verified using transmission electron microscopy. It was found that the activities of TiO 2 nanoparticles in the catalytic oxidation of DBT were positively correlated with the dispersions. TiO 2 nanoparticles calcined at 500°C (500-TiO 2 ) showed the best catalytic activity and the oxidation of DBT reached 99.8% under mild conditions. Based on the results of GC-MS analysis, radical trapping experiments and electron spin resonance spectra, • O 2 − radicals were proved to be the main active species in the oxidation process, and a mechanism is proposed. Meanwhile, the recycling performance of 500-TiO 2 was investigated, and no obvious decrease was observed after six recycles.