<p>The present research aims to synthesize and investigate the effect of different oxides (Bi₂O₃, In₂O₃, Nb₂O₅, Ta₂O₅) and binary metal oxides (i.e. Bi₂O₃/In₂O₃ and Nb₂O₅/Ta₂O₅) doping the raw local bentonite clay on the photocatalytic activity for Rhodamine B dye (Rh-B) degradation. The as-prepared nanocomposites were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray (SEM/EDX). The results show that the successful synthesis of nanocomposites was confirmed by the intercalation of Bi₂O₃, In₂O₃, Nb₂O₅, and Ta₂O₅ into bentonite without disrupting its layered structure, as indicated by new diffraction peaks and the exfoliation of the clay. SEM-EDAX analyses revealed that semiconductor intercalation altered the bentonite’s microstructure, forming agglomerated nanoparticles on its porous surface. The contact time effect was investigated to determine the mechanisms involved in Rh-B dye adsorption and photodegradation using the elaborated nanocomposites. The Rh-B dye removal reaches 22% in the absence of UV in 60 min, while under UV irradiation at a concentration of 20 g/L, the removal efficiency increases to 66% after 120 min at neutral pH. The kinetic data for Rh-B dye adsorption on various nanocomposites, in the absence of UV irradiation, aligns well with the pseudo-second-order model. However, when exposed to UV irradiation, the kinetic behavior of Rh-B dye follows the pseudo-first-order model. The overall outcomes of the experiments suggest that the newly developed material, featuring synergistic adsorption and photocatalytic activities, holds significant promise for effectively addressing water contamination issues caused by hazardous substances. Additionally, the low-cost synthesis of these nanocomposites makes them economically viable for large-scale environmental applications.</p> Graphical abstract <p></p>