The catalytic performance of Ir/TiO2-FeOx, an Ir/TiO2 catalyst modified with FeOx, was investigated for the hydrogenation of o-chloronitrobenzene, FeOx was found to promote both the activity and selectivity significantly. The initial reaction rate of Ir/TiO2-FeOx(10) nanocomposite catalyst was four times as high as that of Ir/TiO2 catalyst. Especially, the accumulation of intermediates was prohibited and finally 100% selectivity to o-chloroaniline was obtained at 100% conversion. Herein, we mainly discussed the promoting effect of Feo(x) with using the results of powder X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, element analysis mapping, hydrogen-temperature programmed reduction, hydrogen-temperature programmed desorption, diffuse reflectance infrared fourier transform spectra and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis. The FeOx was highly dispersed and a portion of FeO species existed in the In TiO2-FeOx nanocomposite catalyst. Moreover, the FeOx, was certified to have a strong interaction with Ir species, which should contribute to the excellent performance of the Ir/TiO2-Feo(x) nanocomposite catalyst. (C) 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.