LAUSR

Abstract This study reports the application of immobilized Ag/TiO2 onto coconut and sisal fibers to anthracene degradation via the UV–vis radiation. The fibers were previously treated with hot water and CTAB to clean their impurities surfaces. Immobilizations of Ag/TiO2 to the fibers were performed by anchorage of the catalysts via the post-synthesis method. The materials were characterized using AAS, TGA, XRD, UV–vis DRS, FTIR, STEM, EDS, and XPS analysis. FTIR and XPS results indicated the presence of hydroxyl groups and different silver species (Ago, Ag+, and Ag2+) on the catalyst surface. Immobilized Ag/TiO2 exhibited higher activity as compared to suspended Ag/TiO2 and TiO2. Ag/TiO2 immobilized on fibers treated with CTAB promoted the full anthracene photodegradation within 2 h at 40 °C. The results demonstrated that sisal and coconut fibers could be used as a support for Ag/TiO2.