AgI-BiYO3 composite was synthesized by ultrasound-assisted precipitation process and characterized by using X-ray diffractometry (XRD), Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), UV-visible diffused reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The photocatalytic activity of AgI-BiYO3 composite was evaluated from the photo degradation of Reactive orange 16 (RO16) under ultraviolet (UV) and visible light irradiations. The sample designated as 16%AgI-BiYO3 showed superior activity relative to the other samples. The influence of reactive species on the degradation activity was investigated by using various scavengers and the results were discussed. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.