Mesoporous anatase TiO2was synthesized by a hydrothermal method at 1801C/24 h using titanium (IV) oxysulfate (TIOS), urea and sodium
dodecyl sulfate (SDS) under aqueous medium. The Ag nanoparticle doped anatase TiO2(Ag–TiO2) was prepared by an impregnation method
using water dispersible Ag obtained from greencarambolaextract at room temperature. The particles were characterized by X-ray diffraction
(XRD), thermo gravimetric (TG) and differential thermal analysis (DTA), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), N2
adsorption–desorption study, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB) was studied
in the presence of TiO2and Ag–TiO2particles under UV and visible light. The initial enhancement of MB dye degradation in the presence of
Ag–TiO2was due to its ability to trap electrons inhibiting electron–hole recombination. Pure anatase TiO2having higher surface area and pore
volume also influenced predominantly in reducing the recombination of electrons–holes pair, reflecting higher efficiency for photodegradation of
MB after a certain period of exposed time.