Zircon-type CeVO4 and Ce1-xPdxVO4 (0.02 <= x <= 0.1) were synthesized by a single step solution combustion method. The materials were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, magnetic measurement and temperature-programmed reduction (TPR) with H-2. The redox properties of CeVO4 and Ce0.98Pd0.02VO4 have been investigated by temperature-programmed reduction. The gas-phase and liquid-phase catalytic properties of CeVO4 and Ce0.98Pd0.02VO4 were investigated. Ce0.98Pd0.02VO4 shows better catalytic activity than CeVO4 towards CO oxidation by O-2, NO reduction by CO and the photocatalytic degradation of various dyes. This higher catalytic activity of Ce0.98Pd0.02VO4 can be attributed to the lattice labile oxygen and high surface area compared to that of CeVO4. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.