The invention belongs to the technical field of ZnO nano-composite materials, and discloses an Ag/ZnO nano-composite, a preparation method thereof and an application of the composite. The method includes the steps: adding zinc acetate dihydrate and silver nitrate into polyethylene glycol, and performing reaction; cooling obtained reaction liquid to indoor temperature after reaction is finished, and centrifugally separating; washing and drying obtained sedimentation to obtain the Ag/ZnO nano-composite. According to the method, by the aid of solvation and stabilization of the polyethylene glycol, the zinc acetate dihydrate and the silver nitrate serve as raw materials, and the Ag/ZnO nano-composite with good dispersibility is prepared by the aid of a one-step method. The method is moderate in reaction condition, simple to operate, rapid, free from pollution, high in production rate, green and environmentally friendly, the raw materials are low in price and easy to obtain, the Ag/ZnO nano-composite is solid powder, conveniently saved and further used, excellent photocatalytic performance is achieved under visible light irradiation, and photocatalytic activities of the Ag/ZnO composites obtained under different silver-zinc mole ratios are superior to those of market photocatalyst P25 and pure ZnO.