The Fe2O3-SiO2 composite (FS) with high specific surface area and pore volume was successfully synthesized using sol-gel method. BET surface area analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscope (SEM), thermal gravity analysis (TGA), temperature programmed desorption (TPD) were used to characterize the catalyst. The performance of prepared FS for elemental mercury removal was evaluated under simulated flue gas. This study identified the effective temperature range (80-450 degrees C) for elemental mercury removal, with the optimal temperature of 350 degrees C. A high SO2 (> 1500 ppm) concentration is not conducive to elemental mercury removal by FS catalyst. The removal mechanism has been discussed based on the experimental and analytical results. (c) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.