Black lead molybdate (PbMoO4) nanoparticles were first synthesized by the glycol-solvothermal method. Phase, morphology, crystal lattice, and specific surface of products were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller nitrogen adsorption-desorption, respectively. Results revealed that the as-synthesized PbMoO4 nanopartides are the scheelite-type tetragonal structure with 30-50 nm in size. Also, glycol played a dual function in present synthetic system: solvent and surface modification agent. Optical properties reveal glycol-modification on the surface of PbMoO4 nanoparticles can generate new energy level between the original conduction band and valence band, leading to better absorption of visible light and the black appearance. Photocatalytic experimental results demonstrate that black PbMoO4 nanoparticles synthesized in glycol medium have pretty visible-light-responsive photocatalytic degradation performance on methylene blue and phenol solution. Reaction mechanism investigations show that the excellent photocatalytic activities of black PbMoO4 nanoparticles derive from the novel energy band structure, smaller size, and larger specific surface area. Hence one can see that black PbMoO4 nanoparticles are a type of visible-light-responsive photocatalysts with excellent photocatalytic activities and potentially applied prospects in dye wastewater treatment and environmental protection. Meanwhile, the present work provides an innovative strategy for adjusting the energy band structure of wide band-gap semiconductors. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.