Zero-valent silver decorated Ag2MoO4 nanorods: An excellent visible light active photocatalyst for persulfate ion activation with intrinsic bactericidal activity

•Ag/Ag2MoO4 nanorods synthesized by facile solvothermal method.•Ag/Ag2MoO4 calcined to 300℃ shows oxygen deficiency.•Ag/Ag2MoO4 band gap reduced to 2.52 eV from 3.36 eV.•Ag/Ag2MoO4 nanorods proficiently activate persulfate ions resulting in enhanced photocatalytic dye degradation of RhB.•Ag/Ag2MoO4 nanorods exhibit bactericidal activity for both S. aureus and E. coli.•Mechanisms of PS ions activation by Ag/Ag2MoO4 were discussed in detail.