The hetero-Fenton catalyst Fe(III)-Al(2)O(3) was prepared and characterised by ICP-AES, FT-IR and SEM-EDX. A detailed investigation of photocatalytic degradation of Acid Violet 7 (AV 7) using this Fenton immobilised Al(2)O(3) catalyst was carried out. The optimal reaction conditions for the photodegradation of AV 7 with this catalyst are reported. Higher efficiency of the catalyst in solar light than in UV light makes this heterophoto-Fenton degradation, a green technological process. The catalyst is found to be stable and reusable. The completion of degradation has also been confirmed by chemical oxygen demand (COD) measurements. (c) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.