BACKGROUND Preparation of homogeneous oxide coatings on the surface of fiberglass is a difficult task due to hydrophobicity of the fiberglass support. NiO-TiO2 cannot coat the fiberglass surface homogeneously. In the present study, SiO2 was added in the NiO-TiO2. A sol-gel method was used to prepare Ni-Si-Ti sol and this was used to coat fiberglass and form a complex Ni-Si-Ti oxide system supported on its surface. The catalyst was tested for hydrocarbon oxidation reaction. RESULTS The as-prepared material is a mixture of TiO2 in the anatase modification and SiO2 in the amorphous phase. UV-visible diffusion reflectance spectroscopy confirmed the presence of Ni-Oh(2+) cations in the film bulk. Introduction of silica to the sample ensured a uniform distribution of the Ni-Ti oxide system on the fiberglass surface and its durable retention there at 600 degrees C. The Ni-Si-Ti mixed oxide supported on fiberglass demonstrated a higher catalytic activity in the oxidation of n-heptane, compared to Ni-Ti oxide/fiberglass catalyst. It is stable even at 600 degrees C, the temperature at which the maximum n-heptane conversion of 93% was reached. CONCLUSION Adding SiO2 in NiO-TiO2 can coat fiberglass homogeneously as SiO2 can coat hydrophobic surfaces such as fiberglass. This research provides a method with which to coat metal oxide catalyst on fiberglass that is very active and stable for oxidation of hydrocarbons even at high temparatures, compared to that without adding SiO2. (c) 2019 Society of Chemical Industry