Regulation of band edge and specific surface area of BixInyOCl microsphere for excellent photocatalytic performance

•Hierarchical structured BiInOCl is prepared by simple solid solution method.•Porous structure of BiInOCl is changed with the increase of solid solution of indium.•The conduction band and valence band potentials of BiOCl shift towards negative and positive after indium solid solution.•BiInOCl has excellent performances for photocatalytic degradation of Cr(VI) and other organic pollutants.