LaPO4 nanorods synthesized by hydrothermal method were applied as a novel catalyst for photocatalytic reduction of CO2 with H2O under mild conditions (20 degrees C and 1 atm CO2). The prepared LaPO4 nanorods exhibited relatively negative E-CB of -0.63 V vs. NHE pH 7 and superior CO2 adsorption capability of 16.3 mg g(-1). The yield rate of the main reduction products, CH4 and H-2, were 0.11 and 0.08 mu mol/h, respectively. The deposition of Pt cocatalyst improved the photocatalytic performance and enhanced the selectivity of CO2 conversion to CH4 production. The highest photocatalytic efficiency was observed over LaPO4-1 wt%Pt, with an apparent quantum yield (AQY) enhanced by 5 times as compared to bare LaPO4, and the selectivity for CH4 production reached 100% at 3 wt%Pt loading. A possible mechanism of photocatalytic CO2 reduction over LaPO4 and LaPO4-Pt was proposed that the Pt cocatalyst functioned as an excellent electron transfer mediator and adsorber for CO2. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.