An Fe-based amorphous alloy was found to significantly enhance the reductive degradation of an azo dye in aqueous solution. The surface-area normalized rate constant was up to 2.0 L m 2 min 1 at room temperature, an order of magnitude larger than any previously reported value. The activation energy of the degradation process was calculated according to the Arrhenius equation, and a much lower value than those previously reported was obtained. Valence band measurement indicated that a depressed valence band maximum and a widened empty band were established in the amorphous ribbon. The unique structure of the amorphous alloy is important -it may reduce the activation energy of the degradation process and enhance the activity of the electrons, thus accelerating the degradation process.amorphous alloys, azo dyes, UV-visible spectrophotometer, degradation, activation energy Citation: Zhang C Q, Zhu Z W, Zhang H F, et al. Rapid reductive degradation of azo dyes by a unique structure of amorphous alloys.