The catalytic activity for low concentration chlorobenzene oxidation was measured with Mn-Ce/cordierite and Mn-Co-Ce/cordierite catalysts with different mole ratios, which were prepared by a sol-gel method and characterized using XRD, BET, SEM Raman, H-2-TPR and XPS. The results demonstrated that part of the manganese and cobalt could be incorporated into the lattice of CeO2 to form a solid solution phase. Among all of the catalysts synthesized, Mn8Co1Ce1/cordierite presented the best activity and stability. When the concentration of chlorobenzene was 500 ppm, and the GHSV was 15000 h(-1), the complete combustion temperature (T-90%) of chlorobenzene was 325 degrees C. In addition, there was almost no change in the conversion of chlorobenzene during the long-term reaction at 350 degrees C. These results were primarily attributed to the synergistic effect of ceria, manganese and cobalt, which can promote the formation of more lattice defects, more oxygen vacancies and smaller crystallite sizes. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.