Abstract: 3-Aminopropyltriethoxysilane was selected as coupling agent and the photocatalytic selfcleaning cotton fabrics loaded with Ag₆Si₂O₇/CNTs was prepared by in-situ deposition. The analysis of TEM, XRD, FESEM and EDS confirmed that the Ag₆Si₂O₇ and CNTs were combined and loaded on cotton fabrics successfully. UV-Vis DRS spectra indicated the photocatalytic activity of Ag₆Si₂O₇/CNTs composite photocatalyst in the entire range of UV-visible light. Experimental results of photocatalytic degradation indicated that the cotton fabrics loaded with Ag6Si2O7/CNTs had efficient and durable selfcleaning property under visible light irradiation. The degradation ratio of MB solution in the presence of the cotton fabrics loaded with Ag₆Si₂O₇/CNTs was about 83% and 98.5%, respectively under visible light irradiation for 5 min and 30 min. After three times of repeated use, the degradation ratio was still about 90%.

Key words: Ag₆Si₂O₇; CNTs; photocatalysis; self-cleaning; cotton fabrics