Preparation, characterization and photocatalytic studies of LaAl0.5Fe0.5O3, LaAl0.5Cr0.5O3 and LaCr0.5Fe0.5O3

•Phase pure LAFO, LACO and LCFO were prepared by gel-burning method.•LACO showed lower electron-holes pair recombination than LCFO and LAFO.•Photocatalytic degradation of MB was follows the order LACO > LCFO > LAFO.•Holes played significant role in the MB degradation over LACO.•The LCAO catalyst possessed good recycling efficiency up to 4 cycles.