AgO/Ag2Mo2O7 heterojunction nanowires were synthesized at temperatures of 25 degrees C, 50 degrees C, 80 degrees C. and 110 degrees C, under magnetic stirring in solution reaction. The catalytic activity of AgO/Ag2Mo2O7 nanowires was evaluated by the degradation of Rhodmine B dye under the irradiation of the simulated sunlight. The synthesized samples were characterized by X-ray diffractometer, energy dispersive spectrometry, X-ray photoelectron spectrometer, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The results show that the AgO nanoparticles are attached on the surface of the Ag2Mo2O7 nanowires to form a heterojunction structure. The length of the nanowires is up to 10 mu m and the size of the AgO nanoparticles is 10-20 nm. The length of nanowires increases with increasing reaction time and temperature while the AgO particles are gradually embedded into the nanowires. The photocatalytic activity is greatly improved for the AgO/Ag2Mo2O7 heterojunction nanowires compared with that of the pure Ag2Mo2O7 nanowires, indicating a remarkable role of AgO particles on the Ag2Mo2O7 nanowires in the photodegradation. (c) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.