The physicochemical, surface and catalytic properties of 10 and 20 wt% CuO, NiO or (CuO-NiO) supported on cordierite (commercial grade) calcined at 350-700 degrees C were investigated using XRD, EDX, nitrogen adsorption at -196 degrees C and CO oxidation by O-2 at 220-280 degrees C. The results obtained revealed that the employed cordierite preheated at, 350-700 degrees C was well-crystallized magnesium aluminum silicate (Mg2Al4Si5O18)Loading of 20 wt% CuO or NiO on the cordierite surface followed by calcination at 350 degrees C led to dissolution of a limited amount of both CuO and NiO in the cordierite lattice. The portions of CuO and NiO dissolved increased upon increasing the calcination temperature. Treating a cordierite sample with 20 wt% (CuO-NiO) followed by heating at 350 degrees C led to solid-solid interaction between some of the oxides present yielding nickel cuprate. The formation of NiCuO2 was stimulated by increasing the calcination temperature above 350 degrees C. However, raising the temperature up to >= 550 degrees C led to distortion of cuprate phase. The chemical affinity towards the formation of NiCuO2 acted as a driving force for migration of some of copper and nickel oxides from the bulk of the solid towards their surface by heating at 500-700 degrees C. The S-BET Of cordierite increased several times by treating with small amounts of NiO, CuO or their binary mixtures. The increase was, however, less pronounced upon treating the cordierite support with CuO-NiO. The catalytic activity of the cordierite increased progressively by increasing the amount of oxide(s) added. The mixed oxides system supported on cordierite and calcined at 450-700 degrees C exhibited the highest catalytic activity due to formation of the nickel cuprate phase. However, the catalytic activity of the mixed oxides system reached a maximum limit upon heating at 500 degrees C then decreased upon heating at temperature above this limit due to the deformation of the nickel cuprate phase. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.