We studied the photocatalytic behaviour and the synthesis of praseodymium doped bismuth vanadate. One-pot hydrothermal technique is used to develop Pr/Bi4V2O11 where Pr3 + is replaces confirmed V 5 + in the lattice. The transformation of phase from monoclinic to tetragonal is determined by X-ray diffraction and Raman spectra. This transformation is probably due to the doping of Pr3 + in Bi4V2O11 lattice. Scan-ning electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were used to investigate the morphol-ogy, elemental compositions, and chemical properties of the synthesized photocatalysts. The absorption range and bandgap energy of the photocatalysts were categorised by using UV-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. Dye derivative (MB dye) and drug derivative (paracetamol) are used to determine the per-formance of photocatalyst in the presence of visible-light. 40% Pr/Bi4V2O11 exhibiting outstanding pho-tocatalytic activity. The photoluminescence spectra revealed that the recombination of photogenerated charges was considerably reduced and the photocatalytic activity was enhanced by the doping of Pr3 + for V 5 + in the Bi4V2O11 lattice. The quenching analyses were carried out to detect active radical species in the photocatalytic process and understand the mechanism better. (c) 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.