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In this article, the effectiveness of two different application methods (photocatalytic degradation and adsorption) onto the created solid nanomaterials for the removal of malachite green (MG) was investigated. Copper ferrite nanoparticles (CF) and copper ferrite/calcium alginate composite (CG) were synthesized as two studied solid samples. By using XRD, TGA, FTIR, DRS, nitrogen adsorption/desorption isotherm, pHPZC, SEM, and TEM, the physicochemical and morphological properties of the solid samples were tested. Sample dose, pH, initial MG concentration, shaking time, ionic strength, UV light power, and temperature were the key experimental parameters that were established. The obtained results demonstrated that at 40 °C, CG reached a greater adsorption capacity (297.62 mg/g). The spontaneous, endothermic, and advantageous adsorption process of MG was proved by the best fitting of pseudo-second order, Elovich, intra-particle diffusion, Langmuir, Dubinin-Radushkevich, and Temkin models onto all the produced materials. The maximum percentage of MG degradation by CG (89.9%) was accomplished by utilizing 1.0 g/L of catalyst mass, an initial MG concentration of 10 mg/L, and 33 W. Arrhenius and Eyring–Polanyi models well applied the MG photodegradation onto the catalyst surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]