Bi2AlVO7 was prepared by solid-state reaction technique for the first time and the structural and photocatalytic properties of Bi2AlVO7 and Bi2InTaO7 were investigated. The results showed that Bi2AlVO7 crystallized in the tetragonal crystal system with space group 14/mmm. In addition, the band gaps of Bi2AlVO7 and Bi2InTaO7 were estimated to be about 2.06 and 2.81 eV. The photocatalytic degradation of aqueous methylene blue (MB) dye with Bi2AlVO7 or Bi2AlVO7 as catalyst was investigated under visible light irradiation. Bi2AlVO7 showed higher photocatalytic activity compared with Bi2InTaO7 for photocatalytic degradation of MB under visible light irradiation. Complete removal of aqueous MB dye was realized after visible light irradiation for 160 min with Bi2AlVO7 as the photocatalyst. The reduction of the total organic carbon (TOC) and the formation of inorganic products, SO42- and NO3-revealed the continuous mineralization of aqueous MB dye during the photocatalytic process. The possible photocatalytic degradation pathway of aqueous MB dye was revealed under visible light irradiation. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.