AgBr@Ag@TiO2 composite photocatalyst was synthesized by a facile multistep route.
AgBr-based photocatalyst was first used in the oxidation of benzyl alcohols to aldehyde.
AgBr@Ag@TiO2 showed a greatly enhanced photocatalytic activity than AgBr@Ag and TiO2.
The composite structure can effectively separate photogenerated electrons and holes.
O2− and h+ are reactive species responsible for the oxidation of alcohols to aldehydes.