A new visible-light-driven and nano-sized photocatalyst was developed in the well-known cathode material of inverse spinel-type lithium nickel vanadate LiNiVO4. The nanoparticles were prepared by a modified Pechini method and characterized with the measurements such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and UV-vis absorption spectrum. The photocatalytic activities of LiNiVO4 nanoparticles were evaluated by photodegradation of methylene blue (MB) under visible-light irradiation in air. LiNiVO4 nanoparticles showed an excellent photocatalytic activity duo to an efficient absorption in the UV-visible light wavelength region with a narrowed band gap energy of 2.10 eV and an indirect allowed electronic transition. These results indicate that this pyrovanadate could be a potential photocatalyst driven by visible-light. The effective photocatalytic activity was discussed on the base of the crystal structure. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.