The electrochemical oxidation of methylene blue (MB) wastewater assisted by Fe2O3-modified kaolin in a 200mL electrolytic batch reactor with graphite plate as electrodes was investigated. The catalyst was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The effects of pH, current density and introduction of NaCl on the efficiency of the electrochemical degradation process were also studied. It was found that Fe2O3-modified kaolin has higher catalytic activity in the electrochemical degradation of MB wastewater. 96.47% chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal was obtained in 40 min of electrochemical treatment of MB wastewater at pH 3, current density was equal to 69.23 mAcm(-2). (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.