Natural zeolite supported Fe 3+ -TiO 2 photocatalysts were synthesized for the sake of improving the recovery and photocatalytic efficiency of TiO 2 . The as-prepared materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflection spectroscopy (UV–vis DRS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX). Methyl orange was used to estimate the photocatalytic activity of the samples. The results showed that zeolite inhibited the growth of TiO 2 crystallite sizes. The Fe 3+ concentration played an important role on the microstructure and photocatalytic activity of the samples. The iron ions could diffuse into TiO 2 lattice to the form Fe–O–Ti bond and gave TiO 2 the capacity to absorb light at lower energy levels. The photocatalytic activity of the samples could be enhanced as appropriate dosages of Fe 3+ were doped.