Nanostructured Fe-titanates were produced via alkaline hydrothermal treatment of ilmenite sand. The synthesis parameters – NaOH solution concentration and temperature – were varied with the aim of exploring the possible morphologies. The produced titanates were characterized via scanning and transmission electron microscopy, nitrogen adsorption, energy dispersive Xray spectroscopy, Mössbauer and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. Particles, sheets and ribbons were formed, depending on the synthesis parameters. The results were assembled in a morphological diagram linking the morphology with the synthesis parameters revealing the possibility of morphological control. Iron appeared in two different forms, after synthesis: either as hematite particles attached to sheets and ribbons or as Fe3more ions within the structure of the sheets, occupying Ti sites. This fact has direct influence in the product optical properties since the sheets have shown high photon absorption while a gradual decrease was observed with the ribbons formation. The specific surface area of products decreased when the sheets become ribbons. This fact, associated with the results obtained for the optical properties, makes the sheets very attractive as photocatalysts.