In this study, different amounts of Fe and Co species were loaded on activated semi-coke (ASC) using a hydrothermal method for the reduction of NO by CO. The series of prepared catalysts were characterized by SEM, N-2 physisorption, ICP, XRD, XPS, H-2-TPR, and in situ DRIFTS, as well as ESR and Raman spectroscopy. In addition, the denitration (deNo(x)) performance and water/SO2 resistance were investigated. The precursor solution with a molar ratio of 0.8:0.2 for Fe:Co (Fe0.8Co0.2/ASC) produced spherical clusters that were uniformly dispersed on the surface. Moreover, Fe0.8Co0.2/ASC exhibited the most effective deNO(x) activity. The highest deNO(x) activity for Fe0.8Co0.2/ASC (determined from the characterization) was attributed to the high fraction of Brmnsted acid sites, high possibility for the formation of oxygen vacancies, and a strong redox performance. The DRIFTS results suggested a possible mechanism involving the adsorption of NO on the Fe0.8Co0.2/ASC surface, followed by its transformation to nitrates or nitrite/nitro species. At low temperatures (<200 degrees C), nitrates were predominantly adsorbed on the surface and could react with CO species, affording CO2 and N2O. However, with increasing reaction temperatures (>200 degrees C), the coordinated nitrates and CO species on the surface reacted with the produced CO2 and N-2. The effects of water and SO2 on the deNO(x) performance were examined. In the presence of only water, the deNO(x) performance decreased because of the competitive adsorption with NO, and in the presence of only SO2, reversible deactivation was observed; however, if both water and SO2 were present, irreversible catalyst deactivation was observed. (C) 2016 Published by Elsevier B.V.