Pt catalysts supported on mixed PrO2-Al2O3 oxides with different PrO2 loading (1-20 wt.%)were prepared by wetness impregnation method. The samples were characterized by XRD, XPS, UV-vis DRS, DRIFTS of CO adsorption, TPR and TEM. XRD analysis of the samples at high calcination temperature of 1023 K showed that the size of Pt particles decreases with increasing the PrO2 content. TPR results exhibited a promoted synergetic effect between Pt and Pr oxide expressed by decreasing the reduction temperatures of both species. XPS and DRIFTS data demonstrated a charge transfer from Pt to Pr oxide species, creating Pt sites with different electron density. It was shown that the addition of praseodymium oxide to alumina-supported Pt catalyst leads to improvement of the catalytic activity and stability. It was found that 6 wt.% is the optimal content of PrO2 to obtain high active Pt catalysts. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.