The promoting effect of copper on the catalytic activity of MnOx-CeO2 for complete oxidation of benzene was investigated. The results showed that the addition of copper could significantly improve the catalytic activity of the mixed oxide and the complete conversion of benzene was achieved at 523 K. Structural analysis by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and H-2-temperature-programmed reduction (H-2-TPR) Measurements indicated that the copper species was highly dispersed on the surface of the mixed oxide. which greatly promoted the redox properties of the catalyst leading to the at low temperatures. X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS) and FTIR characterizations of the Cu/MnOx-CeO2 catalyst further revealed that the addition of copper significantly increased the generation of surface O-beta species and also created more active sites for benzene adsorption. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.