Y2O3 modified TiO2 nanosheets (Y2O3@TNSs), capable of exhibiting sun light, were synthesized through one pot/hydrothermal method using Y (NO3)(3) as precursor. Multiple techniques were applied to investigate the structures, morphologies, optical and electronic properties and photocatalytic performance of the as-prepared samples. The Y2O3@TNSs, with thickness of approximately 3-4nm, large surface area of 240-350 m(2)/g, were full of Y2O3 nanoparticles highly dispersed on the surface. The introduction of Y2O3 influenced the crystallinity and the structure evolution of TNSs, besides, improved the light absorption ability. The surface photo-current and fluorescence spectral studies revealed that the photo-generated charge carrier separation efficiency could be improved by an appropriate modification. The degradation activity of this sun-light-induced photocatalytic has enhanced apparently on 4-Chlorophenol and K2Cr2O7 solution, the degradation efficiency of 4-Chlorophenol reached 5.69 times than that of P25, and the maximum TOC removal obtained after 120 min was 67.6%, indicating that most organic compounds were released from the solution. The enhancement in the photocatalytic activity was attributed to the synergetic effect of the Y2O3 and TNSs, which led to a fast separation and slow recombination of photo induced electron-hole pairs. Consequently, the high efficiency in the experiments showed a promising application of the catalyst in the oxidation or reduction degradation of organic pollutants. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.