Bi0.5Y0.5VO4 solid solution was successfully prepared by polymerized complex (PC) method and characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, nitrogen adsorption-desorption, respectively. The relationships between the calcination temperature and the photocatalytic activity for water decomposition were investigated. The optimal calcination temperature as well as Pt loading was optimized to achieve the best photocatalytic performance. It was found that Bi0.5Y0.5VO4 via 800 degrees C calcination for 4 h and loaded with 0.5 wt% Pt exhibited a high photocatalytic activity, by which the amounts of hydrogen produced was about 744 lmol h(-1) g(-1). In comparison with conventional solid state reaction method, the samples prepared by PC method showed much higher activity.