This study describes the removal of malachite green (MG) and methylene blue (MB) from aqueous solution using adsorption and photodegradation activity of Fe0.01Ni0.01Zn0.98O/polyacrylamide nanocomposite (FNZP/PAM). Fourier transform infra red spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), high resolution transmission electron microscopy -(HRTEM), small area electron diffraction (SAED) and UV-vis spectroscopy techniques were used for characterization of nanocomposite. The coupled photocatalysis and adsorption shown by FNZP/PAM resulted in fast and higher degradation of MB and MG as compared to dye removal by FNZP. The FNZP/PAM shows a higher rate of dyes removal due to excellent adsorbing properties of cross linked polyacrylamide (PAM). A remarkable 97.56% of MB and 96.13% of MG was achieved for FNZP/PAM by coupled adsorption and photocatalysis after two hours. Thermo gravimetric analysis confirmed the higher thermal stability of FNZP/PAM as compared to PAM. The nanocomposite proved to be a promising antimicrobial agent against bacterial strains of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.