The novel BiVO4/FeVO4 heterojunction photocatalyst was successfully synthesized by a facile hydrothermal method firstly. The physical and chemical properties of as-prepared samples were characterized based upon XRD, XPS, BET, SEM, EDS, TEM, UV-vis DRS and fluorescence spectrum techniques. The TEM images showed a clear interface between BiVO4 and FeVO4, indicating that a heterojunction between BiVO4 and FeVO4 was formed during the hydrothermal reaction. In addition, the photodegradation activity of metronidazole (MNZ) was used as a measurement for photocatalytic performance of BiVO4, FeVO4 and BiVO4/FeVO4 heterojunction photocatalyst. It indicated that under visible light irradiation the photocatalytic activity of BiVO4/FeVO4 heterojunction photocatalyst was very effective, and moreover, much higher than the single BiVO4 or single FeVO4. The possible photocatalytic mechanism has been discussed on the basis of the theoretical calculation of the electronic structure, and the experimental results. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.