Porous Ti2O3 was prepared via the carbothermal reduction of titanium dioxide using acetylene black or activated carbon as the reducing agent. The process was carried out at 1300-1350 degrees C in a flowing argon atmosphere or vacuum. The reduced sample had a carbon content of less than 0.007% and a Ti2O3 content of more than 98% when 6.98% acetylene black or 8.88% activated carbon was used as the reducing agent. The pore diameter, pore volume, and porosity of the sample prepared using 6.98% acetylene black were estimated to be 1-3 mu m, 0.115-0.133 cm(3) g(-1), and 39-45%, respectively; those of the sample reduced using 8.88% activated carbon were 7-11 mu m, 0.165-0.190 cm(3) g(-1) and 62-71%, respectively. The kinetic parameters of the carbothermal reduction of TiO2 were investigated using thermogravimetric analysis-differential scanning calorimetry in a flowing Ar atmosphere.