Abstract: CuO-ZnO/γ-Al₂O₃ catalysts for direct decomposition of N₂O were prepared by incipient wetness impregnation method with CuO as the active component, ZnO as the promoter, and γ-Al₂O₃ as the carrier. Experiments were performed to investigate the activity of above catalysts for N₂O decomposition affected by the active component and promoter contents as well as by the flue gas conditions. Moreover, the catalysts were subjected to stability test and characterization. Results indicate that the catalyst with 15% CuO has the highest N₂O decomposition activity, and the addition of ZnO promotes the catalytic activity remarkably. The presence of O₂ and H₂O in the flue gas inhibits the activity of the catalyst. The N₂O decomposition efficiency of 15Cu-30Zn/γ-Al₂O₃ catalyst was kept over 90% in the 100 hours stability test in presence of O₂ and H₂O at the temperature of 650℃ and space velocity of 21000 h^-1, indicating favorable deactivation resistance to O₂ and H₂O as well as good stability of the catalyst at high temperatures.