The composition-activity relationship of Zr-Ce-Mn-O materials was investigated for the catalytic removal of Oxygenated Volatile Organic Compounds (OVOC) emitted by stationary sources. Using a sol-gel method, very high surface specific areas, small crystallite sizes and high redox properties were obtained for Zr0.4Ce0.6-xMnxO2 catalytic systems after calcination at 500 degrees C. The textural and redox properties were improved when Mn content increased in the material, especially for x=0.36. As a result the most active and selective catalyst in the butanol (model of OVOC) oxidation was obtained for the nominal composition Zr0.4Ce0.24Mn0.36O2 due to a high oxygen mobility and surface Mn4+ concentration. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.