Preparation of visible-light nano-photocatalysts through decoration of TiO2 by silver nanoparticles in inverse miniemulsions

Ag/TiO 2 nanocomposites were prepared through combination of a sol–gel process of a titanium precursor in inverse miniemulsions and in situ reduction of silver ions in the “nanoreactors”. The morphological investigation shows that Ag nanoparticles are mainly located on the surface of TiO 2 nano-supports because of the fast reduction rate of Ag ions by hydrazine. Ag/TiO 2 nanocomposites with amorphous or anatase TiO 2 phase displayed high visible-light catalytic activity for degradation of Rhodamine B. The photoactivity of Ag/anatase TiO 2 nanocomposites could be influenced by the Ag content that could be conveniently tuned by the loading of silver salts. The influence of the loading of silver salts on the particle properties of the Ag/TiO 2 nanocomposites was investigated systematically.