In this work, magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) grafted with carboxylic acid (Fe3O4-COOH MNPs) were successfully prepared from incorporation of glutaric anhydride as a functional group on the surface of the ferrite NPs. The MNP was used as a template to induce the growth of ZIF-8 metal-organic framework (MOF) on its surface. The Fe3O4-COOH@ZIF-8 core-shell was incorporated with silver phosphate (Ag3PO4) and Ag nanoparticles (Ag NPs) to develop a visible light active Fe3O4-COOH@ZIF-8/Ag/Ag3PO4 photocatalyst. The materials were characterized using a range of techniques. The photocatalytic activity was investigated systematically by degrading an organo-phosphorus pesticide, diazinon under visible light irradiation. Among synthesized samples, the Fe3O4-COOH@ZIF-8/Ag/Ag3PO4 heterostructured system exhibited highest photocatalytic activity and improved stability compared to others for the degradation of diazinon under visible light. The superior activity and improved stability of this heterostructured photocatalyst was attributed to the synergistic effects from surface plasmon resonance (SPR) of Ag NPs and sequential energy transfer via Z-scheme mechanism, for effective separation of electron-hole pairs. Radical-trapping experiments demonstrate that holes (h(+)) and O-center dot(2) are primary reactive species involved in photocatalytic oxidation process. Moreover, the Fe3O4-COOH@ZIF-8/Ag/Ag3PO4 photocatalyst did not show any obvious loss of photocatalytic activity during five cycle tests, which indicate that the heterostructured photocatalyst was highly stable and can be used repeatedly. Therefore, the work provides new insights into the design and fabrication of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) for use as a visible light photocatalyst for degrading organic contaminants. (C) 2019 The Society of Powder Technology Japan. Published by Elsevier B.V. and The Society of Powder Technology Japan. All rights reserved.