Herein, we report synthesis of graphitic carbon sand composite (GSC) and bentonite (BT) supported superparamagnetic MnFe2O4 nanoparticles to obtain MnFe2O4/GSC and MnFe2O4/BT nanocomposites. Graphitic carbon sand composite (GSC) was prepared by graphitization of sugar over river sand. The particle size of MnFe2O4/GSC and MnFe2O4/BT was found to be 50 and 60 nm respectively. BET adsorption experiments confirmed mesoporous nature of prepared photocatalysts. Magnetic studies revealed superparamagnetic behavior of MnFe2O4/GSC and MnFe2O4/BT. The band gaps of MnFe2O4/GSC and MnFe2O4/BT were 2.38 and 2.42 eV respectively. Both MnFe2O4/GSC and MnFe2O4/13T exhibited significant photocatalytic activity for the mineralization of ampicillin (AMP) and oxytetracycline (OTC) antibiotics under solar light. Simultaneous adsorption and degradation process (A + P) resulted in higher photodegradation of OTC and AMP. The applicability of power law model indicated intricacies of mineralization process. MnFe2O4/GSC and MnFe2O4/BT displayed significant recycle efficiency and easier recovery of photocatalyst for 10 consecutive catalytic cycles. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.