In this work, we investigate the impact of chromium (Cr) additives on the optical, photocatalytic degradation and the radiation attenuation features of chromium-manganese (Mn)-zinc (Zn)-based spinel nanoferrite (named MZCF-nanoferrites. The Kubelka-Munk approach of reflectance results and Tauc’s plots were exploited to verify the energy gap (Eg) of the MZCFx ferrite nanoparticles. The nanoferrites MZCF0, MZCF1, MZCF2, MZCF3, MZCF4, and MZCF5 have Eg values 1.826, 1.811, 1.797, 1.784, 1.772, and 1.769 eV, respectively. The comparative study of the photocatalytic degradation for the optimal (Mn0.8Zn0.2Cr0.1Fe1.9O4) nanoferrite sample and many reported photocatalytic materials evidenced that the MZCF5 nanoferrite has methylene blue dye removal ability higher than those materials (96.38 %, in 60 min). Moreover, this comparative study showed the improved photocatalytic degradation stability performance of the present nanoferrites (just 1.65 % efficiency was decreased after five cycles). The present study proposes a novel approach toward spinel nanoferrites, focusing on the optical and photocatalytic characteristics of the MZCFx-nanoferrites that can be applicable in water treatment fields. Examining linear attenuation coefficient (LAC) of MZCFx-nanoferrite at 0.662 MeV, we observe increased LAC values 0.286 cm􀀀 1 to 0.344 cm􀀀 1 with increasing Cr additions. Conversely, the half value layer (HVL) values at 0.662 MeV decreased 2.421 cm–2.017 cm with increasing Cr additions. By comparing the HVL values of the MZCFx-nanoferrites at 0.662 MeV to some selected radiation shielding materials, the HVL of the MZCFx-nanoferrites showed smaller values. These findings offer promising perspectives for optimization of spinel nano materials for use in radiation shielding applications.