A membrane based photocatalyst consisting of Ag/AgCl coated PAN nanofibers was synthesized in large quantities by electrospinning technique combining electroless plating method and subsequent in situ oxidation strategy. Electrospinning was firstly used to fabricate PAN/AgNO(3) composite nanofibers. After reduction, Ag nanoparticles dispersed along the nanofibers act as seeds in the following metal electroless plating step for the growth of continuous Ag shell. Then an in situ oxidation reaction between Ag shells and FeCl(3) solution was carried on to prepare Ag/AgCl coated PAN nanofiber membranes. The as-prepared materials exhibited excellent photocatalytic activity under visible-light, long-term stability, flexibility, as well as easy separation from the liquid. The present work can open a new and effective route for preparing high-performance membrane based photocatalysts for practical application. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.