Fe-Ce mixed oxides prepared by coprecipitation showed considerable synergy in N2O decomposition when compared with pure metal oxide counterparts. The mixed system also displayed higher stability in reaction at high temperature. Through characterisation by XRD, XPS and TPR, the activity-stability improvement is ascribed to the formation of Fe-doped ceria and Ce-doped hematite and also to increased surface area. The intimate interaction in the mixed phases results in easier reduction. Thus the release of oxygen, which is the rate-determining step in this N2O decomposition, becomes more facile. (c) 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.