A novel method for intercalating silver salt into bentonite interlayers is described. The very fine Ag3PO4 crystalline grains (less than 0.45 nm) were obtained in the interlayers of bentonite (Ag3PO4-Ben). Ag3PO4-Ben was characterized by XRD, FTIR, XRF, XPS and UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. Ag3PO4-Ben particles exhibited high catalytic efficiency for Orange II degradation under visible light irradiation. The photocatalytic activity is attributed to the small-sized Ag3PO4 crystal immobilized in bentonite and the strong adsorption of dye on bentonite. The special structure of bentonite and the microenvironment around the catalysis enhanced the stability. (c) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.