The metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) method has been applied to the preparation of an Ag-TiO2 photocatalyst coated on activated carbon. The Ag-TiO2 coating was characterized by various experimental techniques. Ag particles (1 -5 nm) were coated on the surface of an anatase TiO2 layer. The photoactivity of the Ag-TiO2 photocatalyst with a proper Ag/Ti atomic ratio (0.0198-0.0595) was greatly higher than that of pure TiO2. The repeatability and strength test indicated that the Ag particles had a good adhesion on TiO2 (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.