In this study, we investigate the impact of chromium (Cr) incorporation on the optical properties, photocatalytic degradation efficiency, and radiation attenuation capabilities of zinc-copper-chromium (ZCCF) spinel nanoferrites. The energy gap (Eg) of the ZCCFx ferrite nanoparticles was determined using the Kubelka-Munk function, derived from reflectance data and analyzed through Tauc’s plots. The Eg values for the nanoferrites ZCCF0, ZCCF1, ZCCF2, ZCCF3, ZCCF4, and ZCCF5 were found to be 2.205, 2.182, 1.952, 2.148, 2.214, and 2.140 eV, respectively. Our analysis, with a specific focus on the photocatalytic degradation capacity, revealed that ZCCF5 nanoferrite outperformed other materials in methylene blue dye removal, achieving an impressive 96.93% efficiency within just 120 min. Furthermore, these nanoferrites displayed remarkable stability during multiple cycles of photocatalytic degradation. The study also explored the linear attenuation coefficient (LAC) of ZCCFxnanoferrite, showing increased LAC values with greater Cr content. The LAC values at 0.662 MeV increased from 0.292 to 0.371 cm􀀀 1 as the Cr contents increased in the nanoferrite materials. Conversely, the half-value layer (HVL) decreased with greater chromium content. Comparing the HVL values of ZCCFx-nanoferrites with those of other radiation shielding materials highlights their potential as efficient radiation shields. Overall, this research proposes a novel approach to optimizing spinel nanomaterials for use in water treatment and radiation shielding applications.