Pd/Al2O3-clinoptilolite-CeO2 nanocatalyst was successfully synthesized via ultrasound assisted wet impregnation method to be utilized for total oxidation of toluene. Chemical analysis like XRD, FESEM, EDX, BET and FTIR techniques are used to determine physicochemical properties of synthesized samples. Chemical analysis confirms the presence of all the elements in natural and treated clinoptilolite. XRD patterns prove the formation of ceria as a crystalline phase with an average crystallite size of 19.5 nm. FESEM images show the surface nanometric size of catalyst particles. EDX analysis indicates homogeneous dispersion of elements over nanocatalyst. BET surface area presented large surface for nanocatalysts. The results confirm the positive effect of ultrasound irradiation on surface morphology and elemental dispersion. Catalytic performance tests indicated high removal efficiency of nanocatalyst in total oxidation of toluene. High conversion at low temperatures (200-225 degrees C) and thermal stability are reasons for this observation. (C) 2016 Institution of Chemical Engineers. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.