The Au/CuO@NP-CuAu hybrids as a new type of degradable catalysts, simultaneously achieve self-standing, hierarchical porous structure and outstanding degradation performance. [Display omitted] • The self-standing Au nanoparticles modified CuO nanowires hybrids are designed. • The Au-CuO Schottky junction significantly reduces the recombination of carriers. • The present hybrids demonstrate outstanding photodegradation performance. • The synergy interaction between the Au and CuO are studied by DFT. • The photocatalytic mechanism of the Au/CuO@NP-CuAu is deeply investigated. It is a great challenge to design a low-cost CuO photocatalyst with high utilization rate of visible light. Herein, a self-standing Au nanoparticles modified CuO nanowires on the nanoporous CuAu bimetal network (Au/CuO@NP-CuAu) with hierarchical porous structure was designed through facilely free-dealloying Cu 35 Zr 60 Au 5 metallic glass (MG) ribbon followed by anodizing technique. The minor addition of Au significantly reduces the size of pore/ligament of the dealloyed product and changes the morphology of CuO nanowires. In addition, the Schottky junction constructed by Au nanoparticles and CuO nanowires efficiently reduces the recombination of photogenerated electrons (e-) and holes (h+). Moreover, the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) effect stemming from the Au nanoparticles is effective in increasing the visible light response and improving the utilization of visible light. The Au/CuO@NP-CuAu photocatalysts show outstanding degradation performance and excellent cycling stability for organic dyes. Furthermore, the comprehensive and in-depth understanding on photocatalytic degradation mechanism of RhB is investigated. The novel design of the self-standing Au/CuO@NP-CuAu hybrids facilitates the recycling use, which would largely extend commercial application prospects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]