We demonstrate a novel and facile method to synthesize Cu-doped ZnO nanowires or ZnO-CuO nano wires on the same substrates by directly heating brass foils under ambient condition for the different regrowth times. The regrowth times plays an important role for controlling the growth of Cu-doped ZnO nanowires or ZnO-CuO nanowires. The Cu-doped ZnO nanowires or ZnO-CuO nanowires on the brass foils can enhance the separation efficiency of photogenerated electron-hole pairs and higher surface-to volume ratio, which reveal a much better photocatalytic activity for the photodegradation of three kinds of organic pollutants in 10 W UV light irradiation. Cu-doped ZnO nanowires or ZnO-CuO nanowires possess significantly higher photocatalytic activity and stability, indicating their potential applications in wastewater treatment. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.