A ternary plasmonic Ag/AgCl-(BiO)(2)CO3 photocatalyst was successfully synthesized via a facile method. The as-prepared samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, high resolution transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, UV-vis diffuse reflection spectra, N-2 adsorption-desorption isotherms, photoluminescence spectra, photocurrent generation measurement, time-resolved fluorescence and in situ FT-IR spectra. The Ag/AgCl-(BiO)(2)CO3 composites exhibited outstanding visible-light photocatalytic performance for removal of NO in air, which can be ascribed to the cooperation of surface plasmon resonance effect (SPR effect), surface scattering and reflecting effect (SSR effect) and efficient separation of electron-hole pairs. Moreover, the in situ DRIFTS were applied to elucidate the photocatalytic oxidation process for NO removal and also can further explain the enhanced photocatalytic activity of ternary Ag/AgCl-(BiO)(2)CO3 composites. And a conceivable visible light photocatalysis mechanism was proposed in detail. The present work could provide a new perspective for the fabrication and understanding of plasmon-enhanced visible-light photocatalysts.(C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.