Monoclinic Bi2O4 was prepared by the hydrothermal treatment of NaBiO3·2H2O.
Bi4O7, β-Bi2O3 and α-Bi2O3 formed by sintering Bi2O4 at different temperatures.
Bi2O4 and Bi4O7 had strong abilities to mineralize phenol and p-chlorophenol.
Singlet oxygen (1O2) was identified as the major reactive species.
Deactivation mechanism was elucidated.