Effect of Silver on the Photocatalytic Activity of TiO2

Silver was deposited on TiO[sub 2] powders (Degussa P25) by the photodecomposition of two different silver salts, AgF and AgNO[sub 3]. The photocatalytic activity of TiO[sub 2] powder samples was evaluated by the degradation of 1,4-dichlorobenzene (DCB). Photodecomposition of AgF on TiO[sub 2] gave higher photocatalytic activity than that of AgNO[sub 3]. The optimum catalytic activity found by the deposition of Ag was comparable to that obtained from Au. It was also observed that the photocatalytic activity of Ag-loaded TiO[sub 2] films was greater than that obtained for pure TiO[sub 2] films. This result is consistent with the results obtained for Ag-deposited TiO[sub 2] powders.