The effect of SiO2 nanoparticles on Bi2MoO6 photocatalytic performance was described. The results indicated that SiO2 nanospheres were dispersed on Bi2MoO6 nanosheets to form heterostructures with higher specific surface area and more intensive absorption within the visible light range in comparison with pure Bi2MoO6. These excellent structural and spectral properties endowed the SiO2-Bi2MoO6 composites with enhanced photocatalytic activities. The photocatalytic results for the degradation of Rhodamine B (Rh B) indicated that the most active composite proportion is 13.4%SiO2-Bi2MoO6. The high visible light photocatalytic performance was attributed to the synergistic effect between SiO2 and Bi2MoO6, intensive absorption within the visible light range, and high specific surface area. It was also found that the photodegradation of Rh B molecules is mainly attributed to the oxidation action of the generated O-2(center dot-) radicals and partly to the action of h(vb)(+) through direct hole oxidation process. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.