In the current work, Bi2MoO6 nanoparticles were prepared via hydrothermal method and obtained Bi2MoO6 nanoparticles were modified by C-60. The photocatalytic activity of the prepared Bi2MoO6 nanoparticles and C60 modified Bi2MoO6 in the reduction of bromate ions were evaluated under visible light irradiation. It is observed that bromate ions can be reduced by Bi2MoO6 nanoparticles and the reduction rate of bromate ions was increased by the C-60 modification. Based on the analysis of photoluminescence spectra and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy of the Bi2MoO6 and C-60 modified Bi2MoO6, it is concluded that separation of photogenerated electron-hole pairs is enhanced via the modification of C-60 molecules onto Bi2MoO6. Thus, the photocatalytic activity of the Bi2MoO6 nanoparticles towards the reduction of bromate ions was enhanced. The effect of loading amount of C-60 on Bi2MoO6 nanoparticles on the bromate reduction was investigated. And, the reduction rate of bromate decreased with the solution pH value, which was discussed based on the electrostatic interaction. Effect of cations and anions on the reduction of bromate was investigated. The photogenerated electrons can be consumed by NO3-, which resulted in the decrease of BrO3- reduction. The photocatalytic reduction of bromate decreased with the addition of K2S2O8, which indicated that electrons played a dominant role in the reduction of bromate. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.