Enhanced electron transfer and silver-releasing suppression in Ag-AgBr/titanium-doped Al2O3 suspensions with visible-light irradiation

► Ag-AgBr was deposited onto mesoporous alumina (MA) and titanium-doped MA. ► The Ag+ release from the photocatalyst was inhibited by titanium-doped MA. ► The dissolution of Ag+ was related to the charge transfer and photocatalytic activity. ► Some donors in tap water inhibited the Ag+ release by trapping the h+ on Ag NPs. ► Ag-AgBr/MA-Ti1 was considered as a better catalyst for practical application.