Fe3+-doped nanostructured TiO2 thin films with antibacterial activity were prepared on soda-lime- silica glass slides by using sol-gel technology. Water containing Escherichia coli K-12 with TiO2 thin films in was exposed to low intensity fluorescent light and antibacterial efficiency was evaluated with spread plate techniques. The films are porous and have anatase phase. Iron ions increased luminous energy utilization as the absorption edge of the Fe3+-doped film has a red shift compared to that of the pure TiO2 film in the UV-VIS absorption spectrum. The bacterial removal efficiency reached 95% at the optimum concentration of iron ion (about 0.5% (mol)) after 120 min irradiation. The antibacterial behavior of the doped TiO2 films was explicitly observed using scanning electron microscopy and cell wall damage was found. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.