Er3+ doped Bi2MoO6 nanosheets with enhanced photocatalytic activity were synthesized for the first time using a simple hydrothermal method. The morphology of Bi2MoO6 can be controlled from nanosheets to nanowires by adjusting the pH values. The samples were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), photoluminescence spectra (PL) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Er3+ doped Bi2MoO6 nanosheets selectively exposed {0 1 0} facets as the main external surfaces and the nanowires grew along the (0 1 0) direction. The nanosheets were found to be highly active for photocatalytic degradation of dyes and phenol. The activities of the Er3+ doped Bi2MoO6 nanosheets were much superior to that of commercial Degussa P25. The effect of Er3+ on the photocatalytic activity of Bi2MoO6 was investigated in detail. The enhanced photocatalytic activity of Bi2MoO6 nanosheets can be attributed to the exposed {0 1 0} facets and the dopant Er3+ which can transform visible light into ultraviolet light. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.