One-pot hydrothermal fabrication of 2D/2D BiOIO3/BiOBr Z-scheme heterostructure with enhanced photocatalytic activity

•2D/2D BiOIO3/BiOBr Z-scheme heterostructure was firstly synthesized by a one-pot hydrothermal process.•BB-x composite has enhanced photocatalytic activity under irradiation of Xe and LED light.•The 2D/2D morphology of BB-x facilitates the separation efficiency of photocarriers.•IO3−/I− redox couple and built-in electric field help to formation of Z-scheme photocarrier transport way.•The Z-scheme mechanism hastens the separation and transfer of photocarriers as well as maintains a robust redox capacity.