The rare earth metal Ce-doped cobalt ferrite samples CexCo1-xFe2O4 (x = 0.1, 0.3, 0.5) were prepared by the sol-gel autocombustion route. The as-prepared samples were characterized by X-ray diffractometry, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, ICP-atomic emission spectroscopy, and N-2 physisorption. Their catalytic performance was evaluated in oxidation of styrene using hydrogen peroxide (30%) as oxidant. Compared with pristine CoFe2O4, the Ce-doped samples were found to be more efficient catalysts for the oxidation of styrene to benzaldehyde, with greatly enhanced catalytic performance. Especially, when Ce0.3Co0.7Fe2O4 was used as catalyst, 90.3% styrene conversion and 91.5% selectivity for benzaldehyde were obtained at 90 degrees C for 9 h reaction. The catalyst can be magnetically separated easily for reuse, and no obvious loss of activity was observed when it was reused in five consecutive runs. (C) 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.