Synthesis of solar active nanocrystalline ferrite, MFe2O4 (M: Ca, Zn, Mg) photocatalyst by microwave irradiation

► MFe2O4-M:Mg, Ca, Zn nanoparticles synthesized in 60 times less time than the SSR method. ► Monodispersed particles show photodegradation activity for methylene blue. ► The ecofriendly ferrite particles were active under solar radiation. ► Electronic structure demonstrates the effect of metal ion in the ternary oxide system. ► Correlation of experimental and theoretical results are made.