BACKGROUND: Electro-Fenton technology has demonstrated great potential for the degradation of recalcitrant organic contaminants in polluted wastewaters. In this technology, the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide is catalysed by the presence of iron, and powerful oxidants, hydroxyl radicals, are generated. However, there is concern over the reduction of iron released in the treated effluent. Therefore, retention of catalyst is required, and advances in electro-Fenton heterogeneous catalysis are necessary. In this study, the use of polyacrylamide hydrogel was evaluated as a support for the iron, and the performance of the catalyst (Fe-PH) developed was assayed in the electro-Fenton degradation of two dyes, Reactive Black 5 and Blue Sella Solid. RESULTS: First, the synthesis of Fe-PH catalyst was studied. The results showed that the loaded hydrogel with a mixture of Fe(II) and Fe(III) in 1: 2 molar ratio reached the highest decolourization efficiency. The performance of the optimized Fe-PH catalyst was evaluated in the decolourization of the selected dyes. These studies demonstrated the satisfactory performance of electro-Fenton using Fe-PH catalyst as well as its reusability. CONCLUSION: In summary, the Fe-PH catalyst developed gives the promise of wastewater treatment by means of an electro-Fenton process. (C) 2014 Society of Chemical Industry