Bi2MoO6 has been reported as a promising photpcatalyst in wastewater treatment. The active radicals generated over the Bi2MoO6 during the photocatalytic process were thought to be hydroxyl radical ((OH)-O-center dot) but have not been proved. Herein, Bi2MoO6 with nanoplate like morphology was synthesized and its photocatalytic performances in the degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) and phenol as colored and colorless model pollutants respectively were evaluated under the irradiation of blue light emitting diode (LED). The tert-butyl alcohol (TBA) as a (OH)-O-center dot trap and ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) as a hole sink were involved to investigate the main active groups that are generated on Bi2MoO6 and function during the photodegradation of RhB and phenol. In addition, it is a competitive and promising alternative plan to use blue LED as light source for the future practical application in environmental remediation. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.