Structure-activity relationship of CuO/MnO2 catalysts in CO oxidation

► Efficient CuO/MnO2 catalysts have been developed for CO oxidation. ► CuO/MnO2 catalysts with CuO loading of 1-40% exhibit almost the same catalytic performance toward CO oxidation. ► The CuO-MnO2 interface is the active site for CO oxidation in CuO/MnO2 catalysts. ► CO oxidation over CuO/MnO2 catalysts likely follows the interfacial reaction mechanism.