Novel nitrogen-doped carbon quantum dots/Ag3PO4 (NCQDs/Ag3PO4) complex photocatalysts were synthesized by a facile precipitation method at room temperature. The physical and chemical properties of Ag3PO4 and NCQDs/Ag3PO4 photocatalysts were detected through X-ray powder diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and electron spin resonance techniques. The as-prepared 3-NCQDs/Ag3PO4 composite exhibited much higher activity than the pure Ag3PO4 for eliminating methyl orange and bisphenol A solution under visible light (lambda > 420 nm). Moreover, in the cyclic experiments, the 3-NCQDs/Ag3PO4 exhibited an excellent stability for the decolorization of methyl orange at some level. This suggested that NCQDs played an important role in the process of degradation. The function of NCQDs was discussed and a new mechanism was put forward for the degradation of methyl orange. The high activities and stability were attributed to the transfer of photogenerated charges through the vector of Ag3PO4 -> NCQDs -> Ag in the photocatalytic process, leading to effective charge separation of Ag3PO4. (C) 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.