Bi2O2CO3 nanosheet with a thickness of less than 20 nm was synthesized via hydrothermal and solvothermal process. The properties of the as-prepared nanosheet were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and diffuse reflectance spectra. The electronic structure was investigated using first-principle calculations. Application of the as-prepared Bi2O2CO3 nanosheet in photocatalysis was also studied. (C) 2010 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.