In the present work, the removal efficiency of dye pigments was improved by a simple new approach, using Zn3V2O8 nanoparticles formulated from mixed oxides of zinc and vanadium via the precipitation technique followed by a calcination step. The physicochemical characteristics of the nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller Method, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectrum and UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The photocatalytic performances of zinc vanadate were evaluated for the degradation of the cationic dye crystal violet under UV irradiation, considering different conditions such as; the photocatalyst dose, the initial pH of the solution and the dye concentration involved in the process. According to this study and the findings, the improved photocatalytic properties and excellent stability, which can be maintained at about 90% after five cycles, can be attributed to the strong interaction between the charge carriers on the surface of our Zn3V2O8 catalyst and the CV molecule, which significantly enhances the redox capacity. This work provides suggestions and insights towards a new eco-friendly strategy for the preparation of Zn3V2O8 photocatalyst and its application in the environmental field especially for the degradation of pollutants in water.