The synthesis of a series of-bulk cobalt oxides with different nanostructure (nanocube, nanosheets and nanorods) has been attempted and their performance has been evaluated for the oxidation of 1,2-dichloroethane, one of the most common chlorinated pollutants found in waste streams. Structural, morphological and physicochemical properties have been analysed by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, BET measurements, SEM, HRTEM, XPS and temperature-programmed reduction with hydrogen. It has been found that the morphology plays a key role in determining the catalytic behaviour, being the nanocube-shaped oxides the most active catalysts. This catalyst has led the total oxidation of DCE towards CO2, HCl and Cl-2 at relatively low temperatures (400 degrees C) without by-products formation. Both activity and selectivity of Co3O4 with this morphology are controlled by a high surface area, a low crystallite size, a highly defective structure and a good oxygen mobility within the lattice. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.