A series of Ce1-xCuxO2 (0 <= x <= 0.1) nanostructured oxide systems was prepared using a modified reverse microemulsion method. The thermal decomposition of the carbonate and hydroxide precursors into oxides systems was studied using thermal analysis methods (EGA-TGA/DTG/SDTA). The morphology and the structure of the samples were characterized by XRD and BET analysis as well as visualized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The morphology of the obtained nanoparticles depended on a kind of the precursors used. The copper substituted CeO2 materials formed mono phase solid solutions, which were catalytically active in the incineration of various VOC molecules (ethylene, methanol, acetone). The correlation between activity of the studied catalysts and copper content has been found.