A novel plasmonic photocatalyst, Ag@AgCl-intercalated layered niobate (denoted K4Nb6O17/Ag@AgCl), was synthesized via a microwave-assisted ion-exchange method. The composite materials were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflection spectra (UV-vis), photoluminescence measurements (PL), X-ray fluorescence spectrometer (XRF) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The as-prepared plasmonic photocatalyst exhibited an enhanced and stable photoactivity for the degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) under visible light irradiation. The high activity was attributed to the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) exhibited by Ag nanoparticles on the surface of AgCl. The detection of reactive species by radical scavengers displays that center dot O-2(-) and center dot OH- are the main reactive species for the degradation of RhB under visible light irradiation. The mechanism of separation of the photo-generated electrons and holes at the K4Nb6O17/Ag@AgCl composite was discussed. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.