Oxidation catalysts can be used to achieve highly efficient NO oxidation by residual O-2 in flue gas and decrease the power consumption of pollutant oxidation process through ozone injection. Ceria was selected as the catalyst carrier because of its excellent oxygen storage capacity. Ceria substrate composite catalysts were prepared through sol-gel method. The effects of dopant metals (Co, Mn, Fe, Cr, and Ni), calcination temperatures, and Co doping content on NO conversion efficiency were assessed. The physico-chemical characteristics of catalysts prepared were analyzed through BET, XRD, TPR, TEM, and XPS. Cobalt was used as the dopant metal because of its excellent catalytic activity. The optimal condition was 400 degrees C calcination, and the effective mole ratio of Co to Ce was 0.51. Under the optimal condition, the Ce-Co composite catalyst yielded an NO conversion efficiency of 93% at 230 degrees C. The catalytic activity of the Ce-Co composite catalyst on NO oxidization was related to structural features, crystalline pattern, redox ability, and interactions between cobalt and ceria. The effect of residual oxygen concentration in flue gas on NO oxidation was evaluated. When the oxygen concentration exceeded 6%, NO conversion efficiency stabilized. The sulfur-and water-resistant ability of the Ce-Co composite catalyst was very weak. Only 53% NO conversion was obtained at 190 degrees C when 200 ppm SO2 and 3% steam were added. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.