Microwave-assisted hydrothermal synthesis of CuWO4-palygorskite nanocomposite for enhanced visible photocatalytic response

•CuWO4-Pal was synthesized for the first time by coprecipitation and microwave assisted hydrothermal methods.•CuWO4-Pal enhanced the charge separation under visible light irradiation.•92% of CIP was photodegradated on CuWO4-Pal after 90 min of catalytic test.•The photogenerated holes on CuWO4-Pal were the main oxidative species.