Facile fabrication of magnetic Ag/ZnO/Fe3O4 composite and the photocatalytic performance under simulated sunlight irradiation

•Metalic Ag and Fe3O4 nanoparticles were combined with ZnO hexahedrons by a moderate method.•The Ag/ZnO/Fe3O4 composite exhibited good photocatalytic performance and reusability.•⋅O2−, ⋅OH and holes are main active species in the photocatalytic process.•SPR effect of Ag nanoparticles and Ag/ZnO heterojunction are helpful to the photocatalytic performance.