CuO/CeO2/γ-Al2O3 catalysts were prepared by both an ultrasound-assisted impregnation method and by a conventional impregnation method. The catalytic combustion of two volatile organic compounds (VOCs)

toluene and benzene

was carried out by using these CuO/CeO2/γ-Al2O3 catalysts. The surface properties of these catalysts were characterized with X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The experimental results showed that the ignition temperature and total conversion temperature of the VOCs on the CuO/CeO2/γ-Al2O3 catalysts prepared by ultrasound-assisted impregnation were much lower than those on the CuO/CeO2/γ-Al2O3 catalysts prepared by conventional impregnation

and the activity of the CuO/CeO2/γ-Al2O3 catalysts prepared by ultrasound-assisted impregnation was much higher than that of the CuO/CeO2/γ-Al2O3 catalysts prepared by conventional impregnation. XRD results showed that the use of ultrasound improved the dispersion of Cu ions on the surface of the CuO/CeO2/γ-Al2O3 catalysts.XPS results indicated that the use of ultrasound promoted the distribution of active components on the surface of the CuO/CeO2/γ-Al2O3 catalysts and increased the Cu+ content on the surface of the catalysts so that the activity of the catalysts for VOCs combustion can be enhanced.