Applicability of NH2-MOF235(Fe)-derived α-Fe2O3/ZnO photocatalyst synthesized by the microwave-assisted method in the degradation of a mixture of phenolic compounds

•NH2-MOF-derived α-Fe2O3/ZnO composite was synthesized by microwave method followed by calcination.•NH2-MOF-derived α-Fe2O3 incorporated in ZnO increases surface area, visible light absorption, and charge carrier separation.•α-Fe2O3-15%/ZnO composite showed superior photocatalytic performance in the degradation of a phenolic compounds’ mixture.•O2●- followed by ●OH radical and h+ were the main reactive species involved in degradation of the pollutants.•The intermediates detected by GC-MS and Vibrio fischeri bioluminiscence assay corroborated a non-toxic effluent.