A novel composite nanomaterial of Ag/AgVO3 was prepared and the photocatalytic activity for the degradation of bisphenol A was investigated under visible light irradiation. Experimental results showed that Ag/AgVO3 exhibited higher photocatalytic activity than bare beta-AgVO3 under visible light irradiation. The degradation efficiency of BPA by Ag/AgVO3 could reach 100% within 150 min. The obvious enhancement of photocatalytic activity by Ag nanoparticles could be attributed to the synergetic effects between noble metal and semiconductor. Furthermore, hydroxyl radicals ((OH)-O-center dot) played a key role in the photocatalytic reaction and a possible mechanism of the synergistic system was proposed. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.