Nanocrystalline Ce0.90Co0.10O2–δ and Ce0.90-xCuxCo0.10O2–δ catalysts synthesized.
Insertion of Cu into Ce0.90Co0.10O2–δ enhances catalytic performance and stability.
H2 and CO oxidation over Ce0.90Co0.10O2–δ catalyst may occur on the same sites.
Over Cu containing catalysts H2 and CO oxidation occur on independent sites.
The degree of deactivation by H2O and CO2 decreases with increasing the Cu content.