BACKGROUND The hybrid material based on TiO2, organic framework, and CuFe2O4 magnetic particles were synthesized and applied as photocatalyst for photodegradation of methylene blue (MB) solution. The effects of irradiation time and photocatalyst type on photodegradation efficiency were investigated in detail. RESULTS The photocatalytic activity under UV irradiation increased in the following order:TiO2 < CuFe2O4@TiO2 < CuFe2O4@TiO2@CuBTC. The CuFe2O4/TiO2/CuBTCphotocatalyst retained its activity even after five cycles, with the photodegradation efficiency reaching approximately 82.6%. CONCLUSIONS The presence of both CuFe2O4and CuBTC induced a positive effect on photocatalytic properties of TiO2with an enhancement of the photo-decolorization of MB. The CuFe2O4/TiO2/CuBTCexhibited both photocatalytic activities and recycled property with magnetic characteristics. The combination with other materials helped reduce the bandgap and increased the photoactivity of TiO2. (c) 2020 Society of Chemical Industry