One-dimensional beta-AgVO3 nanobelts (SVN) were realized by a facile hydrothermal method. It indicates the anisotropic crystallographic characteristics through the characterization. With the additive PEG, the sample was restrained in the one-dimensional preferential orientation (SV-P) effectively. The photocatalytic activity studies reveal that the photocatalyst beta-AgVO3 exhibits excellent photocatalytic activity in the inactivation of Escherichia coil under fluorescent light. In addition, it is found that the morphology has effect on the photocatalytic activity. The beta-AgVO3 photocatalyst with one-dimensional structure has the potential and promising application in bacterial disinfection indoor using fluorescent light. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.