In situ oxidation of Ag/ZnO by bromine water to prepare ternary Ag-AgBr/ZnO sunlight-derived photocatalyst

► The Ag-AgBr-ZnO ternary composites showed good activity under light irradiation. ► The Ag-AgBr-ZnO ternary system is stable for photocatalytic use. ► The preparation of Ag-AgBr-ZnO photocatalyst is simple.