High surface area Co3O4-CeO2, catalysts were prepared by the simple calcination of carbonate-precursor mixtures at 300 degrees C. The Co3O4-CeO2 catalyst with a Co/Ce molar ratio of 1 showed high activity for toluene decomposition, comparable to that of Pt(0.08 wt %)/zeolite catalyst. The total decomposition of toluene was achieved at degradation temperatures as low as 200 degrees C. The Co3O4-CeO2 catalyst was highly stable, even after two weeks of reaction.