A novel combustion drying synthesis route of 3D WO3–SiO2 composite aerogels for enhanced adsorption and visible light photocatalytic activity

•A novel combustion drying method was successfully used in synthesis of WO3–SiO2 composite aerogels for the first time.•The WO3–SiO2 composite aerogels with a typical three-dimensional network nanoporous structure exhibited high specific surface area with 486–667 m2/g, pore volume 2.0–2.68 cm3/g, good hydrophobicity, and heat resistance (∼ 500 °C).•The WO3–SiO2 composite aerogels with high WO3 content exhibited excellent visible light photocatalytic activity.•The mechanism of combustion drying method of WO3–SiO2 composite aerogels is discussed.