To hinder the recombination process of light-induced electron-hole pairs, as well as extending the absorption edge to visible light region, TiO2 was co-doped by lanthanum (La) and nitrogen (N) elements, and immobilized onto diatomite (LNT/D) via a facile sol-gel method. Its physicochemical-properties such as light absorption range, phase structure and morphology were systematically analyzed. The synergy between two dopants, as well as diatomite and TiO2 were studied. The introduction of La and N narrowed the bandgap of TiO2 and thus extended its light absorption range to visible light region. The adsorption capability of carrier diatomite promoted the overall photodegradation efficiency by attracting target pollutants around photocatalyst TiO2. The photoactivity of LNT/D was evaluated by degradating Rhodamine B (RhB) under visible light. Its photocatalytic mechanism was investigated. LNT/D also indicated excellent photo-stability and recyclability, showing its great potential to be applied in wastewater remediation process. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.