Composite ferrite catalyst consisting of pristine irregular KFeO(2) crystallites and well developed hexagonal nanoplates of selectively doped (2%Ce,2%Cr)-K(2)Fe(22)O(34) was prepared, characterized (XRD, HR-TEM. SEM-EDX, BET) and tested for potassium volatilization and catalytic performance in ethylbenzene dehydrogenation. In comparison with separate parent ferrite phases the obtained composite catalyst exhibited superior overall catalytic performance (stability and activity), combining the best features of its components. Indeed, it exhibits the conversion and selectivity to styrene monomer of the most active phase of 2% Ce, 2% Cr-doped K(2)Fe(22)O(34), whereas the thermal stability of potassium was even higher than in the most stable KFeO(2) phase. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.