Pure CuO-Ce02 nanocomposites were synthesized by simple thermal decomposition method in presence of various Cu salts as a copper source and fructose as a green capping agent. In this study, the effect of various parameters such as the type of copper sources, temperature and time of reaction on the morphology and the particles size were studied. The products were characterized via X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), N2 adsorption (BET), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), and infrared spectrum (FT-IR). The optical property of the nanocomposite was examined via UV vis (DRS) spectroscopy and the band gap was calculated to 3 eV. Also, the hydrogen storage capacity of CuO-CeO2 nanocomposites and CeO2 nanoparticles were investigated via chronopotentiometry method for the first time. The discharge capacity of CeO2 nano particles and CuO-CeO2 nanocomposites in 1 mA current and 20 cycles obtained 2150 and 2450 mAh/g, respectively. (C) 2017 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.