Studies were performed on surface modification of antibacterial TiO2/Ag+ nanoparticles by grafting gamma-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APS). The interfacial structure of the modified particles was characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. The thickness of the surface layer was determined by using Auger electron spectroscopy (AES). The results show that APS is chemically bonded to the surface of antibacterial TiO2/Ag+ nanoparticles. Furthermore, the modified particles were mixed in PVC to prepare composites whose antibacterial property was investigated. The results suggest that surface modification has no negative effect on antibacterial activity of TiO2/Ag+ nanoparticles and PVC-TiO2/Ag+ composites exhibits good antibacterial property. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.