gamma-Bi2MoO6 nanoplates have been successfully synthesized by a microwave hydrothermal approach for the first time, by using Bi(NO3)(3), NH3 and MoO3 as the starting materials. The influences of thevarious preparation parameters (including the pH value, reaction temperature, and holding time) on the phase formation and morphology development were investigated in detail. XRD and TEM results showed that gamma-Bi2MoO6 nanocrystals were formed indirectly with an intermediate phase of Bi2O3 in the microwave hydrothermal and hydrothermal synthesis. However, the reaction condition in the microwave hydrothermal approach was milder compared with the hydrothermal method. The photocatalytic activity of the nanoplates was evaluated by the degradation of the methylene blue solution under visible-light irradiation. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.