MCM-41 and iron-substituted MCM-41 (Fe-MCM-41) were synthesized successfully and characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), nitrogen adsorption-desorption and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The mesopores of the sample remained well ordering and of hexagonal structure. Fe-MCM-41 samples possessed high BET surface areas, high pore volumes and narrowed pore size distribution. Their catalytic activities were compared in terms of p-chlorobenzoic acid (p-CBA) and TOC removal. Ozonation catalyzed by Fe-MCM-41 exhibited extraordinarily high catalytic performance over other studied processes. 100% conversion of p-CBA and 91.3% TOC were achieved in 10 min and 60 min, respectively. Fe-MCM-41 as a novel heterogeneous catalyst in ozonation process was addressed. The presence of tertbutanol (TBA) inhibiting the degradation of p-CBA in the Fe-MCM-41/O-3 process verified that the hydroxyl radicals derived from ozone decomposition were responsible for the improvement of catalytic ozonation. The mechanism explaining the formation of hydroxyl radicals on Fe-MCM-41 surface was proposed. Negative centers or Bronsted acid sites developed by the substitution of trivalent iron into the walls of MCM-41 and the hydroxyl groups formed as a result of coordinative unsaturation were found to be the active sites enhancing catalytic performance. The superior stability of iron ions in Fe-MCM-41 catalyst during the ozonation process was also examined. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.