Bi 2 Fe 4 O 9 nanoplatelets were successfully prepared via hydrothermal method using KOH as the mineralizer. The in uence of KOH concentration on the morphology of the products was investigated. It is found that the thickness and edge length of as-prepared Bi 2 Fe 4 O 9 nanoplatelets can be tailored by adjusting the KOH concentration. With increase in the KOH concentration from 3 to 9 M, the thickness of nanoplatelets increases gradually, whereas their edge length exhibits a trend of decrease. A possible in uencing mechanism of the KOH concentration on the morphology of Bi 2 Fe 4 O 9 nanoplatelets is proposed on the basis of experimental results. The photocatalytic activity of Bi 2 Fe 4 O 9 nanoplatelets was investigated by the degradation of methylene blue under simulated sunlight irradiation, indicating that they possess an appreciable photocatalytic activity. Furthermore, the as-prepared Bi 2 Fe 4 O 9 nanoplatelets present good photocatalytic reusability. Magnetic hysteresis loop measurement shows that the Bi 2 Fe 4 O 9 nanoplatelets exhibit weak ferromagnetic behavior at room temperature.