Monolithic cordierite-based Fe/Al2O3 catalysts were prepared by sol-gel and impregnation method for NO reduction with C2H6. The catalysts were characterized using N-2-physisorption, XRD, SEM, XPS, H-2-TPR, and in situ DRIFTS technologies. The effect of calcination temperature (400-700 degrees C) on the catalysts physicochemical properties, reaction intermediates and catalytic activity were investigated. Results indicated that calcination temperature had a significant influence on the crystallinity of iron oxide nanorods and adsorption intermediates, which resulted in differences in the catalytic activity of C2H6-SCR. The sample calcined at 500 degrees C showed the highest activity and more than 90% of NO reduction was demonstrated in the presence of oxygen at 600 degrees C. In situ DRIFT studies showed that the larger size of Fe2O3 nanorods due to higher calcination temperature promoted the formation of NO2/NO3 species, but inhibited the formation of acetate/formate species during NO reduction with C2H6. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.