A mesoporous SiO2 gel was synthesized utilising recycled rice husk as a precursor. The gel was doped with various amounts of TiO2 using TIP and P25 and these were characterized and measured for UV absorption for evaluation of their energy band gap by comparing with TiO2–fumed SiO2 composites. At the temperatures and conditions used for calcination, the synthesized TiO2 prepared from the TIP forms a well crystallised pure anatase phase. SiO2 gel particles are preferable to agglomerates and the TiO2 (TIP) particles are best dispersed on the SiO2 gel with its mesoporous structure. However, with the TiO2 (P25)–SiO2 gel, the TiO2 (P25), particles are preferable to agglomerates. The UV absorption properties have been related to the level of TiO2 doping and the phase, size and surface characteristics of the support media (SiO2 gel or fumed SiO2).