Characterization of submicro-sized Ag/ZnO particles generated using the spray pyrolysis method

•Ag-supported ZnO particles were generated using the spray pyrolysis method.•Ag/ZnO particles with high efficiency showed twice the photolysis activity of P25.•The generated particles were recovered by gravity sedimentation and reused.•Change of Ag nanoparticles was not observed after the photolysis experiment.