<p>The drive to enhance photocatalytic performance for dye degradation has spurred the invention of cutting-edge materials with modified surfaces. This study investigates the synthesis and application of films of vertically and intricately aligned titanium dioxide (TiO₂) rods, fabricated by etching to enhance surface properties, and subsequently decorated with molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) for the degradation of Methylene Blue (MB). The etching process is crucial in creating more active sites on the TiO₂ rods, improving their ability to interact with light and reactants. The MoS₂ decoration was implemented with different reaction durations. The photocatalytic performance of each sample was evaluated over 10 h with MB concentration of 5 ppm at pH 12. Comprehensive characterizations of the MoS₂-decorated etched-TiO₂ rods films were conducted using X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM), and ultraviolet–visible spectrophotometry (UV-Vis) to elucidate their structural, morphological, topological and dye degradation properties, respectively. Photocatalytic performance was assessed under visible radiation. The results demonstrated that the etched-TiO₂ rods, decorated with MoS₂ for 7 h, exhibited the greatest MB degradation efficiency, with a 47% improvement over the as-deposited TiO₂ and a 31.13% increase compared to the etched-TiO₂ rods film. This significant enhancement with etching treatment is attributed to improved crystallinity, surface morphology, and surface roughness facilitated by the optimal MoS₂ decoration. The study reveals that a 7 h hydrothermal reaction produces the most efficient photocatalyst for MB degradation, underscoring the potential of MoS₂-decorated etched-TiO₂ rods films in dye treatment applications.</p> Graphical Abstract <p></p>