Perovskite-type La1-xCexMnO3 (x=0-10%) catalysts were prepared by flame spray pyrolysis and their activities during the catalytic oxidation of benzene were examined over the temperature range of 100-450 degrees C. The structural properties and reducibility of these materials were also characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), N-2 adsorption/desorption, H-2 temperature-programmed reduction (H-2-TPR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The incorporation of Ce was found to improve the benzene oxidation activity, and the perovskite in which x was 0.1 exhibited the highest activity. Phase composition and surface elemental analyses indicated that non-stoichiometric compounds were present. The incorporation of Ce had a negligible effect on the specific surface area of the perovskites and hence this factor has little impact on the catalytic activity. Introduction of Ce4+ resulted in modification of the chemical states of both B-site ions and oxygen species and facilitated the reducibility of the perovskite. The surface Mn4+/Mn3+ ratio was increased as a result of Ce4+ substitution, while a decrease in the surface-adsorbed O/lattice O (Oa(ds)/O-latt) ratio was observed. The relationship between the surface elemental ratios and catalytic activity was established to allow a better understanding of the process by which benzene is oxidized over perovskites. (C) 2014 Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of Chinese Society of Particuology and Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences.