Abstract: The reactivity of biomass with CoFe₂O₄ oxygen carrier was investigated through thermodynamic analysis. The effects including amount of oxygen carrier, temperature and steam content on gasification characteristics of biomass were examined. Meanwhile, the reaction was experimentally investigated using thermogravimetric analysis. The phase of fresh and reacted oxygen carrier was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD).Thermodynamic analysis results show that CoFe₂O₄ can provide lattice oxygen and effectively improve gasification of biomass and carbon conversion efficiency. As the temperature goes up, amount of H₂ and CO increases, while CO₂ decreases. With amount of steam increases, H₂ and CO₂ yield increases while CO yield decreases. The ratio of H₂ to CO increases and high quality syngas can be obtained with the addition of steam. Thermogravimetric analysis and XRD results show that cobalt can be first reduced which can promote the further reduction of iron due to the synergistic effect. With the amount of oxygen carrier increases, reduction degree of oxygen carrier decreases. The optimal mass ratio of oxygen carrier to biomass is 0.8.