Well dispersed Bi nanostructures were synthesized on TiO2 nanotube arrays (TNAs) via a facile electrochemical deposition route at room temperature, employing Bi(NO3)(3)center dot 5H(2)O as the reactant with the assistance of complexing agent and surfactant. The structures of the as-prepared product were characterized by scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, X-ray diffraction and energy dispersive spectrometer. The influence of preparation conditions on Bi electrodeposition were investigated systematically. The results showed that the concentration of surfactant, the deposition voltage and pH value could markedly affect the morphology of Bi-TNAs. The prepared Bi-TNAs have been used to fabricate BiOI and Bi2O3 semiconductors supported on TNAs, which exhibited high visible-light photocatalytic efficiency for acid orange II degradation. This study predicates a promising path to synthesizing Bi-based photocatalysts on TNAs. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.