Hierarchically porous Cu-Ni/C composite catalysts were successfully fabricated by a bio-inspired route involving impregnation and calcination processes. Macoporous networks composed of interwoven carbon fibers loaded with nano Cu-Ni particles, which had high surface area (538 m(2)/g), were prepared by template-directed synthesis employing tissue paper as bio-templates. The obtained hierarchically porous structures exhibited high catalytic activity for acid fuchsin degradation in the MICO process due to the synergetic effects between the microwave (MW), porous carbon and Cu-Ni nano particles. The degradation of acid fuchsin was a fast process under MW irritation. Not only the chromophore group but also the naphthalene ring and benzene ring in acid fuchsin molecule can be destroyed mostly. Ni addition had a significant effect on the acid fuchsin degradation because it benefited more formation of hydroxyl radicals (OH)-O-center dot under MW irritation. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.