Nanosized CuO, Mn2O3 and a mixture of both oxides supported on cordierite were prepared by wet impregnation followed by calcination at 350-700 degrees C. The prepared sampled were characterized by using XRD. EDX, nitrogen adsorption at -196 degrees C and CO-oxidation by O-2 at 250 degrees C. The results revealed that heating the supported mixed oxides at temperatures starting from 500 degrees C resulted in a solid-solid interaction between some of CuO and Mn2O3 yielding copper manganite (CuMn2O4) the amount of which increased by heating at 700 degrees C. EDX investigation showed that the surface concentration of copper and manganese species in individual supported oxides loaded on cordierite much decreased by increasing the calcination temperatures. Opposite trends manifested in case of mixed oxides supported solids. The BET-surface areas and catalytic activity were much increased by loading individual oxides and/or a mixture of both oxides on cordierite support material. The activity of binary oxides supported on cordierite was found to increase progressively by increasing their calcination temperature within 350-700 degrees C, opposite to the individual oxide supported catalyst. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.