A novel activated alumina-supported iron oxide-composite (denoted as FeAA-500) was prepared by so-called fluidized-bed reactor (FBR) crystallization. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), N-2 adsorption/desorption, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) were used to characterize the FeAA-500. The photo-catalytic activity of the FeAA-500 was evaluated in the photooxidative degradation of 0.1 mM azo-dye reactive black 5 (RB5) in the presence of H2O2 and UVA light (lambda = 365 nm) in a solution with a pH of 2.5. Complete decolorization of the model pollutant RB5 was achieved; the total organic carbon (TOC) removal ratio was 95%, and a trace amount of leached ferric ion was detected following 75 min of reaction when 2.0 g/L FeAA-500 was used as a catalyst. FeAA-500 has high photo-catalytic activity; it is therefore a promising heterogeneous photocatalysis of the degradation of organic compounds. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.