Display omitted •Ag/ZnO/Bi2WO6 tecomposi nanomaterials were synthesized by sol–gel and ultrasonic methods.•The molecular-imprinted composite MIT-Ag/ZnO/Bi2WO6 was prepared using cefuroxime sodium as template molecule.•TEM results show that heterojunction is formed between ZnO and Bi2WO6.•Diffuse reflectance shows the band gap of MIT-Ag/ZnO/Bi2WO6 is about 3.08 eV.•MIT-Ag/ZnO/Bi2WO6 has higher degradation rate of cefuroxime sodium. The purpose of this work is to study the crystal structural, element composition, valence state and optical properties of the MIT-Ag/ZnO/Bi2WO6 in order to be used for antibiotic degradation application. MIT-Ag/ZnO/Bi2WO6 materials were prepared by sol–gel and ultrasonic composite method using cefuroxime sodium as the template molecule. The obtained catalyst was characterized by different techniques. The crystal structure was analyzed by XRD and FTIR. The elemental and valence composition were analyzed by XPS. It was found that the imprinting process did not changed the crystal structure, elemental composition and valence state of Ag/ZnO/Bi2WO6. The morphology was visualized by SEM. A heterojunction is formed between ZnO and Bi2WO6 as investigated by TEM analysis. The optical proprieties have been evaluated by DRS, a bandgap of 3.08 eV was found. PL results showed that the imprinting process inhibits the recombination of electron-hole pairs. Photocatalytic experiments were further carried out. MIT-Ag/ZnO/Bi2WO6 was selective to template cefuroxime sodium, and the degradation efficiency of cefuroxime sodium reached almost 100% under the irradiation of 250 W mercury lamp for 150 min. ·OH and h+ were the main active substances in the photocatalytic process.