Pd-doped Bi2MoO6 was prepared and investigated for the first time. The prepared samples were characterized by their crystal structures, chemical states, atomic compositions, optical properties and morphologies. The photocatalytic activities of prepared samples under visible light irradiation were determined by degradation of phenol, which is widely found in wastewater from many industrial processes and is difficult to destroy. The sample exhibiting the highest removal efficiency with respect to the degradation of phenol contained 2% Pd. The enhancement effect can be interpreted as the integrated effects of a reduction in the rate of electron-hole recombination, surface plasmon resonance, and production of Cl-0. This work sheds light on the potential applications of noble metal nanoparticles in visible light-driven photocatalysis. (C) 2016 Published by Elsevier B.V.