Selective oxidation of cyclohexane to cyclohexanol by BiOI under visible light: Role of the ratio (1 1 0)/(0 0 1) facet

•BiOI photocatalysts were synthesized at different pH values and characterized.•Cyclohexane oxofunctionalization was performed under visible light.•All BiOI samples showed higher selectivity for cyclohexanol than cyclohexanone.•Cyclohexanol yield was related to the exposed crystal facets of BiOI.•The higher cyclohexanol yield was associated with production of •OH.