Different oxide supported cobalt catalysts were prepared by co-precipitation method and tested for the decomposition of nitrous oxide. Co/MgO with cobalt loading of 15% showed the best activity and a 100% N2O conversion was obtained at temperatures higher than 700 K. The active phase of cobalt species in Co/MgO catalysts was Co3O4 highly dispersed in the matrices of MgO, based on XRD and XPS results as well as the kinetic analysis. The existence of NO, O-2 and H2O in reaction system showed different negative effects on N2O decomposition. Nevertheless, a 100% N2O conversion could be achieved at 800 K under simulated conditions of tail gas from nitric acid plant. Moreover, Co/MgO catalyst exhibited quite good durability and no obvious activity loss was observed in the 100 h stability test. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.