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In this study, a Cu 2 O–Au nanoparticles (NPs) heterojunction catalyst anchored on wood was developed by in situ reduction and hydrothermal treatment, and the properties of the catalyst were systematically characterized. The catalyst exhibited prominent photocatalysis of methyl orange (MO, 0.169 min− 1), and tetracycline (TC, 0.122 min−1) which were degraded completely within 20 min. Even after four recyclings, the efficiency of MO degradation by the catalyst remained at 80%. The natural wood with three-dimensional porous structures acted as a reducing agent and a stabilizer for Au NPs and Cu 2 O, which helped to maintain high performance and reusability. The presence of Au NPs mediated the light-induced electron transfer and enhanced the absorption of visible light for promoting photocatalytic activity. The intermediates of contaminants within the degradation process were characterized by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Additionally, the photogenerated superoxide radicals and holes were identified by electron spin resonance. Thus, the potential degradation mechanism catalyzed by the Cu 2 O–Au NPs-wood was proposed. This findings of this study valorizes biomass as a photocatalyst for wastewater remediation. Preparation of a heterogeneous Cu 2 O–Au NPs-wood photocatalyst and its application. [Display omitted] • Cu 2 O–Au NPs-wood heterojunction exhibits highly catalytic property. • Conductive porous carbonized wood enhances the photocatalytic performance. • Cu 2 O–Au NPs-wood can effectively photocatalytic degrade MO and TC. • The degradation of pollutant photo-catalyzed by heterojunction is elucidated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Copper nanoparticles (Cu NPs) were grown in nitrogen-doped carbonized wood (NCW). • Cu 1.0 NPs@NCW-1000 exhibited high specific capacitance of 10.39 F cm−2. • SSC delivered 0.59 mWh cm−2 with a retention of 92.02 % after 5000 cycles. • Cu 1.0 NPs@NCW-1000 showed a overpotential of 100.43 mV at 10 mA cm−2. • Cu 1.0 NPs@NCW-1000 exhibited a Tafel slope of 95 mV dec−1. The development of self-supporting electrodes using natural wood is promising for energy storage and conversion but still challenging. Here, the nitrogen-doped carbonized wood electrode decorated with copper nanoparticles is synthesized to escalate its capacitive performance and HER. Cu 1.0 NPs@NCW-1000 exhibits a high specific capacitance of 10.39 F cm−2 at 1 mA cm−2. The symmetric supercapacitor achieves an energy density of 0.59 mWh cm−2 at 3.5 mW cm−2 while achieving a capacitance retention of 89.51 % after 8,000 cycles. Cu 1.0 NPs@NCW-1000 also displays good HER activity, comprising an overpotential of 100.43 mV at 10 mA cm−2 and a Tafel slope of 95 mV dec−1. Its outstanding properties were attributed to doping-nitrogen, high specific surface area, hierarchical porous structure, and the interaction between Cu NPs and NCW, which increased active sites and accelerated charge transfer. This work provides a new strategy for the preparation of self-supported carbon electrodes for the energy storage and electrocatalysis applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]