Microemulsion synthesis, characterization of bismuth oxyiodine/titanium dioxide hybrid nanoparticles with outstanding photocatalytic performance under visible light irradiation

► BiOI/TiO2 hybrid nanoparticles were synthesized by a reverse microemulsion method. ► BiOI/TiO2 composites were characterized by various characterization technologies. ► BiOI/TiO2 presented outstanding visible-light-induced photocatalytic performance. ► The photoactivity of BiOI/TiO2 is highly affected by its mole ratios. ► Possible photocatalytic mechanism was proposed based on the experimental studies.