The Pd/γ-Al₂O₃ and Pd/CeO₂/γ-Al₂O₃ catalysts with 0.03wt% Pd loading were successfully synthesized via simple direct-adsorption method, and evaluated for the oxidation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The morphology, structure, and surface properties of the synthesized samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), N₂ adsorption-desorption (BET method), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), temperature-programmed reduction of H₂ (H₂-TPR). The temperatures for conversion of 98% toluene, acetone and ethyl acetate over the Pd/CeO₂/γ-Al₂O₃ catalyst were 205, 220 and 275 ℃ under the conditions of VOCs volume fraction at 0.1% and gas hourly space velocity (GHSV) at 18000 mL/(g·h), respectively, which were 15, 15 and 20 ℃ lower than that of Pd/γ-Al₂O₃ catalyst. The Pd/CeO₂/γ-Al₂O₃ exhibited outstanding catalytic activity, stability and selectivity even at high gas hourly space velocity. The results indicated the addition of ceria to alumina influenced the physico- chemical properties of the materials and their catalytic activities. It also revealed that Pd/CeO₂/γ-Al₂O₃ possessed Ce ³⁺and high content of PdO, and the main active PdO species were well-dispersed on the surface of the γ-Al₂O₃ support. In addition, the strong metal-support interaction between PdO and non-stoichiometric cerium oxides enhanced catalytic performance of the Pd/CeO₂/γ-Al₂O₃ for oxidation of VOCs.