Novel CuO/Bi2WO6 composites with different CuO to Bi2WO6 weight ratios were synthesized via a facile two-step approach. The as-prepared CuO/Bi2WO6 composite photocatalyst was characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, XPS, BET, UV-vis diffused reflectance, fluorescence spectrum and photocurrent measurements to investigate their physical, optical and photochemical properties. The photocatalytic activity of CuO/Bi2WO6 composites was evaluated by the photocatalytic degradation of RhB under simulated sunlight. The optimum photocatalytic activity of the CuO/Bi2WO6 composites for the degradation of RhB is almost 2 times higher than those of bare Bi2WO6 and CuO. The enhanced photocatalytic performance could be mainly attributed to the improved light response and effective separation of the photogenerated electrons and holes at the heterojunction interface of p-CuO and n-Bi2WO6. (C) 2017 The Society of Powder Technology Japan. Published by Elsevier B.V. and The Society of Powder Technology Japan. All rights reserved.