The photo-Fenton activity of ZnFe2O4 was enhanced by the ZnFe2O4/alpha-Fe2O3 (ZFO/FO) heterostructure synthesized via a one-step hydrothermal method. The degradation efficiency was further improved by loading Pt nanoparticles on the surface of the heterostructure. The degradation efficiencies of MB for ZnFe2O4 , ZFO/FO, and ZFO/FO/Pt were 57.82%, 83.71%, and 99.96%, respectively. This can be ascribed to Pt working as an "electron bridge" to transfer the photo-generated electrons from the alpha-Fe2O3 to solution, thus improving the photo-Fenton efficiency. A noteworthy feature of this study is the successful strategy to fabricate heterostructures photo-Fenton for solving environmental problems at the alkaline condition of pH 9. (C) 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.