Construction of Z-scheme WO3-Cu2O nanorods array heterojunction for efficient photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue

•A Z-scheme core–shell WO3-Cu2O nanorod junction photocatalysts are produced.•The deposited Cu2O onto theWO3 enhance the visible light absorption ability.•Photocatalytic activity of the heterojunction was affected by the amount of Cu2O.•The Z-scheme promoted charge separation and improve photocatalytic activity.•The Z-scheme charge-carrier transfer contribute to efficient charge transportation and improved photocatalytic performance.