Ceria-based transition metal catalysts have recently received considerable attention both in heterogeneous catalysis and electro-catalysis fields, due to their unique physicochemical characteristics. Their catalytic performance is greatly affected by the surface local chemistry and oxygen vacancies. The present study aims at investigating the impact of Co/Ce ratio and pretreatment conditions on the surface and redox properties of cobalt-ceria binary oxides. Co-ceria mixed oxides with different Co content (0, 20, 30, 60, 100 wt.%) were prepared by impregnation method and characterized by means of N-2 adsorption at 196 degrees C, X-ray diffraction (XRD), H-2 temperature-programmed reduction (H-2-TPR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results shown the improved reducibility of Co/CeO2 mixed oxides compared to single oxides, due to a synergistic interaction between cobalt and cerium. Oxidation pretreatment results in a preferential localization of cerium species on the outer surface. In contrast, a uniform distribution of cobalt and cerium species over the entire catalyst surface is obtained by the reduction process, which facilitates the formation of oxygen vacancies though Co3+/Co2+ and Ce3+/Ce4+ redox cycles. Fundamental insights toward tuning the surface chemistry of cobalt-ceria binary oxides are provided, paving the way for real-life industrial applications. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.