Temperature-programmed calcination (TPC) experiments were performed under NO containing atmosphere for alumina supported cobalt catalyst. During these experiments the NO and NO2 concentration of the effluent was measured continuously. It was observed that NO concentrations below 1 vol% significantly influence the TPC profile. With increasing NO content in the gas phase from 0 to 1 vol% an increasing amount of NO2 evolves at temperatures below 100 degrees C, which is correlated with consumption of NO. These results indicate decomposition of cobalt nitrate forming cobalt hydroxynitrates at low temperatures in the presence of NO. In agreement with literature, increased cobalt dispersion was obtained for materials calcined in NO containing atmosphere. Thus, the present method seems to be interesting for preparation of highly active Fischer-Tropsch catalysts. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.