One of the differences is how you design the photocatalyst system. In water, UV light can be absorbed or scattered, which may influenced on the photocatalytic activity.
In addition, depending on the TiO2-based material, TiO2 particles may be detached/separated from the material in solution, which will negatively affect the photocatalytic efficiency
I don't think there is any difference in synthesis. I synthesized and conducted experiments of TiO2-based photocatalyst for removal of VOCs, NOx, SOx, and it worked well. You have to be careful in designing the treatment system, as I mentioned in the previous comment.