Thermo-photoactivity of pristine and modified titania photocatalysts under UV and blue light

•Temperature increase differently affects TiO2 activity under UV and blue light.•Excessive Mn suppresses the photoactivity of TiO2 and gives no thermal activation.•Enhanced blue-light activation of Cu-grafted titania exists at any temperature.•Silver-modified titanium dioxide is not advantageous at elevated temperatures.•TiO2 with platinum NPs demonstrates the synergy of thermal and optical excitation.