Dual coordination between loess and N-doped TiO2 for efficient removal and degradation of organics

•A low-cost and environmental friendly loess-based N-doped TiO2 photocatalyst was prepared by in-situ deposition.•Acidified loess affected the dispersibility of NTiO2 nanoparticles and further enhanced the visible-light absorption.•MB was pre-sorbed on the surface and in the pores of NTiO2@ALS so that it better degraded the organics.•Dual coordination between catalytic active center and carrier in NTiO2@ALS degraded MB with 99.6% degradation rate.