A series of activated gamma-alumina supported Mo/Co catalysts with different Mo loadings ranging from 8 to 20 wt.% have been prepared through the impregnation by soaking metal precursors over the alumina support followed by drying (120 degrees C) and calcination (350, 400 and 600 degrees C) for the fabrication of catalytic membrane. A comparative study on activated and gamma-Al(2)O(3)with low surface area has been performed to understand the metal-support interaction and to select the suitable support in terms of metallic dispersion (MD) and metallic surface area (MSA) for better catalytic activity. Several characterization techniques, such as, BET surface area, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), electron spin resonance (ESR), temperature-programmed reduction (TPR), laser Raman spectroscopy (LRS), transmission electron micrograph (TEM), Energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy and CO chemisorption have been used to verify the interaction between Mo and activated gamma-alumina. Based on characterization, 16% Mo-Co/activated gamma-Al2O3 catalyst calcined at 400 degrees C is optimized and selected for activity test. Claus reaction has been chosen to study the catalytic activity. Overall as well as individual conversion of both H2S and SO2, selectivity and yield of product are measured in this study. The highest turnover frequency (TF) is observed as 3.80 min(-1) at 300 min for the optimized catalyst. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.