AgX (X=Cl, Br, I)/BiOX nanoplates and microspheres for pure and mixed (methyl orange, rhodamine B and methylene blue) dyes

•BiOX (X=Cl, Br, or I) nanoplates and nano-assembled microspheres were synthesized.•BiOX nanostructures were tailed by AgX (X=Cl, Br, or I).•Adsorption/photocatalytic performances for pure RhB under UV and visible light.•Adsorption/photocatalytic performances for mixed dye under UV and visible light.•Adsorption/photocatalytic properties in a complicated polluted target were discussed. The loading of AgX (X=Cl, Br and I) into BiOX nanoplates and microspheres was demonstrated, and then their adsorption and photocatalytic performances were studied using rhodamine B (RhB) and a more complicated mixed dye (methyl orange+RhB+methylene blue) system under UV and visible light. The adsorption performances were highly dependent on morphology, nature of material, dye system, and AgX-loading. Photocatalytic activity was also found to be dependent on the wavelength of incident light. The detailed approach to a more complicated system provides new insights that can aid in design of appropriate photocatalysts for a more complicated polluted target.