Photocatalytic degradation of ibuprofen over BiOCl nanosheets with identification of intermediates.

•BiOCl photocatalytic degradation of ibuprofen was investigated by HPLC-DAD and LC-MS/MS.•Two primary products, 4-isobutylacetophenone and 1-(4-isobutyl)phenylethanol, were identified.•Secondary product formation was determined to originate from 4-isobutylacetophenone.•Enhanced ibuprofen removal by BiOCl prevents formation of hydroxylated side products.