CuxCe1-xO2-y mixed oxide catalysts were prepared by different preparation procedures: co-precipitation, the sol-gel peroxide route, and the sol-gel citric acid-assisted route, The resulting solids were investigated by means of XRD, BET, H-2 and CO temperature-programmed reduction (TPR), oxidation (TPO) and desorption (TPD) analyses, and N2O pulse selective reaction. it was confirmed that H-2 (CO) consumed for complete reduction of well-dispersed and bulk-like CuO phases to Cu-0, reduction of surface ceria and H-2 (CO) adsorption on the catalyst surface contribute to the total H-2 (CO) consumption. Among catalysts examined, the Cu0.15Ce0.85O2-y mixed oxide sample prepared by means of co-precipitation method exhibits the highest activity and stability for water-gas shift (WGS) pulse reaction in the range of employed operating conditions, WGS activity of copper-ceria mixed oxide catalysts is determined by the extent of surface ceria reduction and dispersion of copper species. (c) 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.