The effect of support and different vanadia species present at different vanadium loadings on the catalytic performance of supported vanadia in the oxidation of formaldehyde to formic acid was examined. The catalysts with vanadium supported on SiO2, Al2O3, ZrO2, and TiO2 were prepared by impregnation. The catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, and the temperature-programmed reduction technique. All catalysts and supports were tested in the oxidation of formaldehyde at 120 degrees C. It was found that activity in the oxidation of formaldehyde to formic acid is determined by the structure of vanadia species and the selectivity is determined by the coverage of support surface by these species. TiO2 (anatase) is the most suitable support for the formation of monolayer vanadium species which are the most active in the oxidation of formaldehyde to formic acid. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.