BiOBr/semi-coke (SC) composite photo-catalyst was synthesized by a facile hydro-thermal method. The obtained samples were characterized by N2 adsorption–desorption, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and UV–visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV–vis DRS). The photo-catalytic activity of as-prepared samples was evaluated by the oxidation of nitrogen monoxide (NO) under visible light irradiation. The results revealed that BiOBr/SC composite exhibited higher photo-catalytic activity than pure BiOBr.