Physicochemical and catalytic properties of compositions Fe(Ce)-Mn-O/support (gamma-, theta-, alpha-Al2O3, SiO2 as the support) and Pt/CeO2/theta-Al2O3 for oxidation of soot were characterized. It was established that the phase composition of the initial catalysts depended mainly on the nature of the active component and preparation conditions. Non-isothermal treatment of the soot-catalyst compositions at the temperature Lip to 1000 degrees C resulted in a change in the phase composition depending mainly on the final treatment temperature. The catalyst surface area was determined by the Support nature. It was established that catalyst activities for oxidation of soot are determined by both catalyst nature and composition of gas mixture. The process of the soot oxidation is thought to involve oxygen from the catalyst surface. The higher proportion of weakly bound Surface oxygen, the higher was the catalyst activity. An increase in the oxygen concentration from 5% O-2/N-2 to 15% O-2/N-2 is shown to lead to a decrease of the temperature of the soot oxidation. The influence of the oxygen concentration on the process of soot oxidation becomes weaker in the presence of water vapor. Results showed that the presence of NO in the gas mixture favors a decrease in the oxidation temperature of the soot, the higher being the nitrogen oxide concentration, the more pronounced effect. Introduction of SO2 in amount of 50 ppm in the gas mixture has no noticeable effect on the process of the soot oxidation. Among the catalysts under study, Fe-Mn-K-O/gamma-Al2O3 is most effective to oxidation of the soot at otherwise identical conditions. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.