A new insight into the role of transition metals doping with CeO2-ZrO2 and its application in Pd-only three-way catalysts for automotive emission control

► The introduction of Fe or Co promotes the surface atom ratios of Ce/Zr. ► The introduction of Fe or Co makes the part of Ce4+ transferred into Ce3+. ► The increasing of oxygen vacancies for CZFe leads to the enhancement of DOSC. ► Pd/CZFe and Pd/CZCo are active in promoting the three-way catalytic performance.