Mesoporous zinc ferrite: Synthesis, characterization, and photocatalytic activity with H2O2/visible light

► Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) played a significant role in synthesizing mesoporous ZnFe2O4via hydrothermal process. ► ZnFe2O4-H2O2-visible light system had a higher photocatalytic activity to degrade AOII than either ZnFe2O4-H2O2 or ZnFe2O4-visible light system. ► OH was the reactive species for degrading AOII in ZnFe2O4-H2O2-visible light system. ► Photocurrent-time profiles showed the production of electron in ZnFe2O4-visible light system that caused the generation of OH through reaction with H2O2.