In this article, A core-shell hierarchical microspherical BiOCl photocatalyst was prepared by a one-step solvothermal method in acid solution. Abundant of oxygen vacancies existed on the surface of BiOCl microspherical, which shortened the band gap to 1.77 eV and broadened the light absorption range to 700 nm. More importantly, the modified BiOCl showed greatly improved photon capture capability in the visible light region due to the synergistic effect of the oxygen vacancy and hierarchical structure of BiOCl. The BiOCl photocatalyst synthesized at 140 degrees C showed the best photocatalytic degradation performance for norfloxacin (NOR), and it can completely mineralize NOR to CO2 and H2O in four hours under the visible light. Thus, the synergistic effect of the oxygen vacancy and hierarchical structure is considered as a potential method to improve the photocatalytic performance of a wide band gap semiconductor. (C) 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.