The physicochemical, surface and catalytic properties of pure and doped Fe2O3/Al2O3 solid catalysts with An and Mn2O3 calcined at 300, 500 and 700 degrees C were investigated. The dopant concentration of An was varied between 0.4 and 1.6 mol%, while Mn2O3 concentration was varied between 1.0 and 8.0 rnol%. The techniques employed were DTA, XRD, TPR, EDX, nitrogen adsorption at -196 degrees C, CO oxidation by O-2 at 225-275 degrees C and H2O2 decomposition in aqueous solution at 30-50 degrees C. The results obtained revealed that the doping of Fe2O3/Al2O3 solids with different amounts of An and Mn2O3 changed the degree of crystallinity of Al2O3 and Fe2O3 phases. The doping process led to a progressive increase in the specific surface area of the treated solid catalysts to an extent proportional to the amount of An and Mn2O3 added. This process led also to a progressive increase in the catalytic activities of the investigated solid catalysts towards CO oxidation by O-2 and H2O2 decomposition. The doping of solid catalysts with An calcined at 300, 500 and 700 degrees C exhibited catalytic activity in CO oxidation by O-2 higher than those measured for solid catalysts doped with Mn2O3 calcined at the same temperatures. Opposite results have been observed in case of H2O2 decomposition. These findings indicate that the active sites taking part in CO oxidation by O-2 are different from those involved in H2O2 decomposition. (c) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.