CdNb2O6/Cd2Nb2O7 heterojunction photocatalysts were one-pot synthesized by a molten salt method using cadmium nitrate, niobium oxide as raw materials in Li2SO4 - Na2SO4 salt system at 900 degrees C. The as-synthesized photocatalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, photoluminescence, photocurrent, and UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The experimental results show that CdNb2O6/Cd2Nb2O7 is composed of CdNb2O6 rods and Cd2Nb2O7 particles. as-synthesized CdNb2O6/Cd2Nb2O7 composites exhibit enhanced photodegradation performances toward Rodamine and phenol under UV light irradiation compared with pure CdNb2O6 and Cd2Nb2O7. The enhancement in photoactivity can be attributed to the construction of CdNb2O6/Cd2Nb2O7 heterojunction and the typical mixed morphology of CdNb2O6 rods and Cd2Nb2O7 particles, which result in the effective separation of photogenerated electron/hole pairs and easy transfer of electrons to the surface through CdNb2O6 rods. Moreover, the dominant active species and the photocatalytic mechanism were discussed in detail. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.