A series of near-stoichiometric lithium niobate crystals doped with molybdenum (nSLN∶Mo) were grown, and their photorefractive properties were investigated. The experimental results show that the photorefractive sensitivity of nSLN∶Mo doping with 0.5mol% molybdenum reaches 0.25 cm/J and 0.21 cm/J with 488 nm and 532 nm laser, respectively. And the response time of nSLN∶Mo crystal at 488 nm can be further shortened by changing polarization condition. The results of infrared spectrum, ultraviolet-visible absorption spectrum and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy reveal the reason for the change of photorefractive performance of nSLN∶Mo crystals.