In this study, schwertmannite was prepared through a hydrothermal method and used as a new Fenton-like catalyst in the oxidation of phenol by H2O2. The synthesized iron oxide had a formula of Fe8O8(OH)(4.5)(SO4)(1.75) with a weak crystalline structure as well as a high specific surface area of 325.52 m(2) g(-1). However, schwertmannite has not been used as a Fenton-like catalyst so far, and its catalytic mechanism in the oxidation of phenol is still unknown. This study confirmed that schwertmannite had a good catalytic activity in the oxidation of phenol via a center dot OH radical mechanism. The free radicals could be generated on the schwertmannite surface by Fe(III) species and in bulk solution by dissolved Fe(III) over a wide pH range. The synthesized schwertmannite also showed a high catalytic ability in the oxidation of phenol in the presence of 0.5 M nitrate, chloride or sulfate anions at initial pH 5.0, indicating its potential application in the treatment of high salinity wastewater. In addition, phenol removal percentage could still reach 98% after schwertmannite was successively used for 12 cycles, indicating the good reusability of this catalyst, although a phase transformation of schwertmannite to goethite was observed. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.