In this study, novel visible-light-driven carbon quantum dots (CQDs)/Bi4O5I2 material has been prepared via a reactable ionic liquid 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium iodide ([Hmim]I) assisted bidirectional regulation solvothermal method. This is the first time for the preparation of CQDs/Bi4O5I2 material with halogen and CQDs bidirectional regulation at the same time. With CQDs modified on the surface of Bi4O5I2, fast transfer of photogenerated charges and low recombination of photo-induced electron-hole pairs facilitated the enhancement of photodegradation activity. At the same time, the introduction of CQDs made the electrons occupied in high-energy potential on the conduction band of Bi4O5I2 transfer to the reaction center CQDs and the molecular oxygen can be thus activated. The enhanced mechanisms for the active species (holes, hydroxyl and superoxide radicals) during the photocatalytic reaction under visible irradiation were analyzed using DRS analysis, electron spin resonance (ESR) technique and free radicals trapping experiments. (C) 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.