Ce/MnAl and MnAl mixed metal oxides catalysts have been obtained by calcination of layered double hydroxides precursors. The composite oxides catalysts were studied in total oxidation of benzene. Physicochemical properties of all the catalysts were characterized by using a series of specific analytical techniques. The results revealed that the 0.2Ce/MnAl catalyst exhibited the highest catalytic performance with T-90 about 210 degrees C at a high space velocity (SV = 60,000 mL g(-1), h(-1)), ascribed to its lower-temperature reducibility, the abundant surface lattice oxygen (O-latt), and synergetic effect between Mn4+ and Ce3+/Ce. (C) 2016 Published by Elsevier B.V.