Using mobium-chelated precursor, a novel method for synthesizing layered niobate (K4Nb6O17) thin films was developed. After annealing at 600 degrees C or above, the nanostructured K4Nb6O17 thin films with (040) preferred orientation were successfully produced by sol-gel process. XPS measurement showed that the atomic ratio of K:Nb:O in the thin film was 4.08:5.99:16.77, which was in good accordance with the stoichiometry of K4Nb6O17, Varying with annealing parameters, the layered structure of the thin films altered and the hydrated layered K(4)Nb(6)O(17)center dot 3H(2)O thin films presented while low pyrolysis temperature was applied. The hydrogen evolution from water decomposition showed the excellent photocatalytic properties of the films. The static hydrogen evolution for the thin film annealed at 600 degrees C reached 105 mu mol cm(-2) h(-1). (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.