V2O5/BiVO4 nanowires with enhanced photocatalytic activity for degradation of methylene blue

•The V2O5/BiVO4 nanowires are prepared via a controllable ion-exchange and calcination methods using the Na5V12O32 nanowires as precursor.•The photocatalytic degradation rate of the V2O5/BiVO4 is 99.51% under 90 min of irradiation, and after three cycles, the degradation rate maintains 95.28%.•The superoxide anion radical (∙O2–) is the principal active species in the photocatalytic process.