The hybrid graphitic carbon nitride-cadmium oxide (g-C3N4/CdO) nanocomposite was fabricated using chemical precipitation and self-assembly method. The photocatalysts were characterised by XRD, XPS, FTIR, BET, TEM, FESEM, UV-Vis and PL spectroscopy. Based on the optical study, visible light harvesting was improved and the band gap of bulk g-C3N4 to hybrid g-C3N4/CdO nanocomposite was greatly reduced from 2.72 eV to 2.35 eV, signifying a better charge carrier mobility. The photocatalytic activity were further assessed by conducting rhodamine B (RhB) photodegradation reaction using visible light. An excellent dye removal efficiency of 96% was achieved when 1.5 g/L of hybrid g-C3N4/CdO nanocomposite was used with an initial concentration of 10 ppm for 120 min whereas only 66% of RhB was removed by bulk g-C3N4 within the same operating conditions. Besides, reusability tests were carried out and evidenced that hybrid g-C3N4/CdO nanocomposite can be recycled up to four times by retaining the degradation efficiency. The scavenging studies confirmed that the RhB photodegradation using hybrid g-C3N4/CdO nanocomposite was controlled by valance band h+ and center dot O2- oxidation reactions. Conclusively, the inclusion of CdO onto g-C3N4 resulted in remarkable photocatalytic activity for dye degradation applications. (C) 2020 The Society of Powder Technology Japan. Published by Elsevier B.V. and The Society of Powder Technology Japan. All rights reserved.