In this paper, NaBiO center dot 2H(2)O and NaBiO3 center dot xH(2)O photocatalysts were synthesized by oxidation technique and hydrothermal method, respectively. The microstructure and properties of the photocatalysts were characterized in detail. The photocatalytic activity of the photocatalysts was investigated by photocatalytic oxidation of Rhodamine B under visible light illumination. The results showed that the photocatalytic activity of NaBiO3 center dot 2H(2)O is higher than that of NaBiO3 center dot-xH(2)O. Compared with NaBiO3 center dot xH(2)O, the absorption wavelength range of NaBiO3 center dot 2H(2)O is extended about 40 nm towards visible light. The appearance of NaBiO3 center dot 2H(2)O is flower-like aggregates with some loose bulk nanosheets, and NaBiO3 center dot xH(2)O is composed of 2 dimensional hexagon nanosheets. center dot O-2(-) and center dot OH were proved to be the dominant reactive species in the photocatalytic reactions of NaBiO3 center dot 2H(2)O and NaBiO3 center dot xH(2)O. The mechanisms of the influence on the photocatalytic activity were also discussed. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.