Elimination of carbon particles emitted into air is one of the main environmental problems. In this study, the catalytic combustion of carbon particles has been investigated in the presence of Cu-Ce-Al oxides. The influence of ozonation on the catalytic and physico-chemical properties of Cu-Ce-Al oxides and carbon black (CB) on the reaction of carbon black combustion was examined by thermal analysis and EPR spectroscopy. All the catalysts except alumina are active in the reaction of CB combustion. Due to ozone pre-treatment the catalytic combustion of CB passes to lower temperatures. Ozonation influences the nature of CB increasing the concentration and the stability of free radicals interacting with carbon particulate. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.