CeO2 and Ru doped CeO2 nanoparticles with small particle sizes (similar to 7 nm) and high surface area (similar to 100 m(2) g(-1)) were prepared by a simple precipitation/coprecipitation method and aqueous NaOH solution (10 wt%) as the precipitating agent, and characterized by XRD, N-2 adsorption, TEM/HRTEM, Raman, XPS and H-2-TPR. The catalytic combustion of chlorobenzene (CB) was investigated for the first time. The results revealed that the Ru doped CeO2 catalysts exhibit an outstanding catalytic activity (T-90% below 250 degrees C) and stability (at least 82 h at 275 degrees C) for CB decomposition. The better stability of the Ru-CeO2 catalysts can be ascribed to the inorganic chlorine species or dissociative Cl adsorbed on active sites can be removed rapidly via the Deacon process catalysized by RuO2 component with extraordinary stability (limited chlorination and easier Cl-2 evolution). (c) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.