Iron-ion-doped anatase titanium (IV) dioxide (TiO2) samples were prepared by hydrothermal hydrolysis and crystallization in octanol-water solution. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, BET-specific surface area determination, UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectra showed a slight shift to longer wavelengths and an extension of the absorption in the visible region for almost all the ion-doped samples, compared to the non-doped sample. The photocatalytic activity of those catalysts was investigated for the liquid phase photocatatlytic degradation of active yellow XRG dye diluted in water under UV and visible light irradiation. It was found that the catalysts doped with FeCl3 have better catalytic activity for photodegradation of XRG than those doped with FeCl2. The amount of doped iron ion plays a significant role in affecting its photocatalytic activity and iron doped with optimum content can enhance photocatalytic activity, especially under visible light irradiation. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V All rights reserved.