Pt/CeO2-ZrO2-Bi2O3/gamma-Al2O3 (Pt/CZB/Al2O3) catalysts for the catalytic combustion of toluene, which is one of the volatile organic compounds (VOCs), were prepared by the wet impregnation method in the presence of polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP). X-ray powder diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and BET specific surface area measurement using N-2 adsorption have been used to characterize the catalysts. The catalytic test was conducted from room temperature in a flow of 900 ppm of toluene in air and gas hourly space velocity (GHSV) of 8000 h(-1). The catalytic activity was evaluated in terms of C7H8 conversion and the gas composition after the reaction was analyzed using two gas chromatographs with a flame ionization detector (FID) and a thermal conductivity detector (TCD). The Pt/CZB/Al2O3 catalysts are specific for the total toluene oxidation and CO and any toluene-derivative compounds were not detected as by-products. The specific surface area of the catalysts was increased by the addition of PVP in the preparation process. By the optimization of the amount of platinum, complete oxidation of toluene was realized at a temperature as low as 120 degrees C on a 7 wt%Pt/16wt%Ce0.64Zr0.15Bi0.21O1.895/gamma-Al2O3 catalyst. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.