Indium oxide [In2O3] nanocubes were obtained through thermal treatment of the hydrothermally synthesized indium hydroxide [In(OH)(3)] nanocubes. The photocatalytic activities of In(OH)(3) and In2O3 nanocubes have been evaluated by the degradation of crystal violet in an aqueous solution. The degradation rate of crystal violet under UV irradiation in In2O3 containing aqueous is much higher than that in In(OH)(3) aqueous, which may be attributed to the formation of more defects as well as more active sites for interactions after thermal treatment of In(OH)(3). (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.