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Graphical abstract Highlights • A silver iron core-shell nanostructure was synthesised in a facile and green manner. • C. sempervirens aqueous extract was used for reduction of both Ag+ and Fe3+ ions. • The prepared nanostructures showed both antimicrobial and catalytic activity. • Iron coating increases the antimicrobial properties of AgNPs. Abstract Bringing two completely different properties into one nanostructure by using individual metals is a difficult goal to achieve. However, recently core-shell metallic nanostructures have introduced as a novel multifunctional nanomaterial with enhanced properties. Iron and silver based nanoparticles are among the most widely applicable nanomaterials in modern industries. Zero-valent iron nanostructures and silver nanoparticles are well known for their applications as catalyst and antimicrobial agent, respectively. In the present study, for the first time, we are reporting a successful fabrication of zero valent iron coated silver nanoparticles (ZVI@AgNPs) by using a green and one-pot synthesis approach. Aqueous leaf extract of Mediterranean cypress (Cupressus sempervirens) was used as a natural source of reducing and capping agent for reduction of both Ag+ and Fe3+ ions. Prepared nanostructures were characterised by a range of analytical techniques namely UV–vis spectroscopy, Transmission Electron Microscopy, X-Ray Diffraction, and Fourier Transform Infra-Red Spectroscopy. The prepared nanostructures were found to be an effective material for dye removal and were capable to remove 98.5% of the initial dye just after 4 h. Based on the results, zero valent iron coating enhanced the antimicrobial potential of AgNPs against Gram-positive bacteria (S. aureus), while showing no significant enhancement against Gram-negative bacteria (E. coli). ZVI@AgNPs, therefore, can be introduced as a novel nanostructure for application in aquatic filter materials to simultaneously reduce microbial and organic contaminants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]