Graphene has attracted considerable attention for developing highly efficient photocatalysts due to its unique two dimensional structure and extraordinary physicochemical properties. In this paper, we demonstrate a facile two-phase self-assembly approach for the synthesis of graphene oxide (GO)-BiPO4 nanocomposites. The as-prepared samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, Raman spectra, UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectra and Fourier transform infrared spectra. The significantly enhanced photocatalytic activity of the GO-BiPO4 nanocomposites in comparison with bare BiPO4 nanoparticles was revealed by the degradation of methylene blue under simulated sunlight irradiation, which can be attributed to the improved separation of electron-hole pairs. This facile method could be extended to design other graphene-based photocatalysts for environment and energy applications. (C) 2013 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.