Promoting effect of reduction-oxidation strategy on the Co3O4/γ-Al2O3 catalysts for propane total oxidation

•Reduction-oxidation strategy improved the activity of Co3O4/Al2O3 with Co-Al interaction of different strengths.•The role of this strategy on interface regulation for the activity improvement is emphasized.•The key properties determining activity improvement were emphatically demonstrated.•The relationship between the activity improvement degree and enhanced physicochemical properties was firstly clarified.