BACKGROUND: In this study, a ternary system was synthesized by Fe loading on TiO2-supported montmorillonite catalysts (Fe-TiO2-MMT) and characterized by various means. The catalytic activities of the supported catalysts were examined in the presence of beta-Naphtholmolecule under UV-A irradiation. RESULTS: The in situ growth of TiO2 nanoparticles and Fe species on the MMT surface varied the morphology of the raw clay. The supported catalysts exhibited higher surface areas, pore volumes and extended absorption profiles through longer wavelengths. The mesoporous structures of the supported catalysts improved their dark adsorption capacities and degradation abilities. The mixed valence existence of Fe enhanced the electron transfer reactions in the catalytic runs. Kinetics was controlled by following a Langmuir-Hinshelwood model. CONCLUSION: The repeatability of the photocatalytic reactions provides an important practical advantage in the use of as-prepared supported catalysts. (C) 2014 Society of Chemical Industry