Preparation and studies of photocatalytic silver-loaded TiO2 films by hybrid sol-gel method

Ag/TiO2 photocatalytic films were produced by hybrid sol-gel method. The photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange (MO) in aqueous solution under both UV and visible light irradiation on TiO2 and Ag/TiO2 thin films was investigated. The state and amount of Ag species within the film and the enhancement mechanism of photocatalytic activity of Ag/TiO2 were discussed. The maximum catalytic efficiency was observed under both UV and visible light irradiation. The molar ratio of Ag/Ti corresponding to the best catalytic activity depends on the wavelength of the radiation employed. (c) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.