Monodispersed hollow carbon spheres (HCSs) were made by decomposition of gaseous CH3CN over silica Stober spheres in a CVD reaction. The nitrogen doped HCSs (N=8.7%) were used as support for well dispersed Co3O4 nanoparticles (7-8 nm; 1% and 2% Co). The Co/N-HCS samples were calcined at various temperatures. The materials calcined at 300 degrees C for 3 h were found to oxidize styrene to styrene oxide (styrene epoxidation) using dry air as oxidant (120 degrees C/DMF) with 99% styrene conversion and 85% selectivity to styrene oxide; they could also be reused in repeat catalytic reactions. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.