A novel coupled system of ZnWO4-Cu, combining two different advanced oxidation processes of photocatalysis and Fenton-like for the degradation of organic dyes, was successfully synthesized. The assynthesized samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The nanosized ZnWO4-Cu samples exhibited much higher catalytic activity than pure ZnWO4. In the presence of the ZC-0.2, the MB solution was completely degraded (the degradation ratio reached 97.79%); while for the ZC-0, the degradation ratio was only 72.29%. The effects of the amount of Cu on the photocatalytic performance of ZnWO4-Cu were investigated in detail. The result showed that the synergistic effect between Cu and ZnWO4 played a key role. The possible mechanism of the synergistic system was proposed. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.