Montmorillonite-Supported Ag/TiO2 Nanoparticles: An Efficient Visible-Light Bacteria Photodegradation Material

Montmorillonite (MMT)-supported Ag/TiO2 composite (Ag/TiO2/MMT) has been prepared through a one-step, low-temperature solvothermal technique. Powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) reveal chat the Ag particles coated with TiO2 nanoparticles are well-dispersed on the surface of MMT in the composite. As a support for the Ag/TiO2 composite, the MMT prevents the loss of the catalyst during recycling test. This Ag/TiO2/MMT composite exhibits high photocatalytic activity and good recycling performance in the degradation of E. coli under visible light. The high visible-light photocatalytic activity of the Ag/TiO2/MMT composite is ascribed to the increase in surface active centers and the localized surface plasmon effect of the Ag nanoparticles. The Ag/TiO2/MMT materials with excellent stability, recyclability, and bactericidal activities are promising photocatalysts for application in decontamination.