Composite oxide FeO x /Al 2 O 3 -supported gold catalysts were prepared by a modified two-step method. The effects of preparation conditions on the initial catalytic activity and long-time stability were studied for CO oxidation. XRD, XPS and in situ FTIR were employed to investigate the state of FeO x and the species on the catalyst surface. The results showed that Au/FeO x /Al 2 O 3 catalysts prepared by this method exhibited high activity and high stability in a wide pH value range. Calcination pretreatment was proved to be beneficial to improving the activity and stability. The beneficial effects of FeO x acting as a structural promoter could be ascribed to the ability to supply active oxygen species. As the precursor of FeO x , Fe(NO 3 ) 3 is superior to FeCl 3 for obtaining higher stability. Composite oxide FeO x / Al 2 O 3 -supported gold catalysts were prepared by a modified two-step method. The effects of preparation conditions on the initial catalytic activity and long-time stability were studied for CO oxidation. XRD, XPS and in situ FTIR were employed to investigate the state of FeO x and the species on the catalyst surface. The results showed that Au / FeO x / Al 2 O 3 catalysts prepared by this method exhibited high activity and high stability in a wide pH value range. Calcination The beneficial effects of FeO x acting as a structural promoter could could ascribed to the ability to supply active oxygen species. As the precursor of FeO x, Fe (NO 3) 3 is superior to FeCl 3 for obtaining higher stability.