Abstract

• Silver-modified titanium dioxide thin films have been prepared via a two-step dipping method. Optimization of the photocatalyst’s performance as a function of dipping time, irradiation time and concentration of dipping solution was performed. The optimum concentration of silver nitrate was found to be 0.001 M. UV-irradiation process of the films were examined for their catalytic activity towards photodegradation of methyl orange (MO). The modified materials presented enhanced photocatalytic efficiency and managed to decompose the organic pollutant. Its pollutant rate was faster than that of undoped original films (TiO2). The increase in Ag+ ion concentration in the dipping solution resulted a decrease in the film’s photocatalytic efficiency due to a shading of available semiconductor surface by the silver layer. Moreover, the lower the average particle size, the higher is the photodegradation percentage. UV analysis indicate the decomposition of M.O.