Heterogeneous interface in materials has recently attracted much attention because of its crucial role in catalytic reaction. Herein, we report the preparation of high-quality Co3O4-decorated one dimensional (1D) MnO2 hybrids and their application in catalytic degradation of carcinogenic benzene. Three kinds of 1D MnO2 including alpha-MnO2 nanowires, alpha-MnO2 nanorods and beta-MnO2 microrods were firstly synthesized by different hydrothermal method, followed by a controlled Co3O4 functionalized process. The homogeneous coating of the Co3O4 nanoparticles on the surface of the MnO2 created large amounts of remarkable MnO2-Co3O4 heterogeneous interface which was characterized by SEM and TEM techniques. XPS and H-2-TPR studies revealed the decorated hybrids had better low-temperature reducibility and more active surface adsorbed oxygen species. Compared with the bare MnO2, these hybrid MnO2@Co3O4 nanaostructures showed improved catalytic reactivity toward gaseous benzene oxidation, and the enhancement had different dependence upon the various MnO2. Under high space velocity of 120,000 mL g(-1) h(-1), the best-performed alpha-MnO2 nanowires@Co3O4 can decrease the To (temperature of 90% benzene conversion) to 247 degrees C which was almost 100 degrees C lower than the pure alpha-MnO2 nanowires. Their significantly promoted catalytic activity should be attributed to the strong synergistic effect due to the existence of remarkable MnO2-Co3O4 hetero-interface. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.