Fe contained TiO2-xNy were prepared by two different methods to control the status of Fe in the final products. By a 1-step hydrothermal method, Fe and N co-doped TiO2 which showed similar crystalline phases, photo absorption properties and specific surface areas to TiO2-xNy were formed. However, the Fe and N co-doping caused the decrease in photocatalytic activity, due to the formation of lattice vacancy. On the other hand, by a 2-step hydrothermal method, TiO2-xNy/Fe2O3 composites were formed, which showed superior visible light absorption ability to TiO2-xNy regardless the decrease in specific surface areas. The excellent deNO(x) abilities of TiO2-xNy/Fe2O3 composites may be due to the heterogeneous electron transfer from TiO2-xNy to Fe2O3 to retard the quick recombination of photoinduced electrons and holes. (c) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.