In order to enhance the biodecolorization rate and avoid the wash-out problems of redox mediators in continuous systems such as a fluidized bed reactor, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) beads modified with N-containing function groups were investigated and employed as a new sodium anthraquinone-2-sulfonate (AQS) carrier material. Elementary and XPS analyses confirm the existence of AQS on modified PVA bead. The modified PVA beads suit with immobilizing AQS better in adsorption capability and stability. AQS supported on modified PVA beads shows high catalytic activity for biodecolorization of reactive blue 13 in a long process (>10 runs). (C) 2015 The Chemical Industry and Engineering Society of China, and Chemical Industry Press. All rights reserved.