Tuning the electronic structure of a semiconductor via defects engineering is an effective strategy to modulate its band structure and charge carrier transport for superior photocatalytic properties. Herein, we report visible-light driven photocatalytic water oxidation on BiFeO 3 nanoplates with Ti-dopants and oxygen vacancies, synthesized via facile hydrothermal method followed by thermal treatment in H 2 atmosphere. The gradual increase of Ti-dopants progressively changes BiFeO 3 morphology from rectangular cuboids to nanoplates. The introduction of Ti-dopants and oxygen vacancies tuned the band-gap of BiFeO 3 , enhanced visible light absorption, improved photogenerated charge-carrier dynamics, and higher driving force for O 2 evolution to demonstrate excellent O 2 evolution at a rate of 274 µmol h−1 g−1 which is 2.6 times higher compared to pristine BiFeO 3. Furthermore, threefold higher photocurrent density and superior surface photovoltage (SPV) results confirm improved charge carrier dynamics in BiFeO 3 with Ti- dopants and oxygen vacancies, which make BiFeO 3 -based nanoplates promising material for photocatalytic applications. [Display omitted] • Synthesis of various Ti-dopants and oxygen vacancies controlled BiFeO 3 nanostructures. • Ti-dopants and oxygen vacancies tuned band structure to achieve strong driving force for water oxidation. • Optimized Ti(4 %)-BFO-R nanoplates exhibited superior O 2 evolution compared to pristine BiFeO 3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]