A B S T R A C TConsidering the harmful effects of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) on the atmosphere and public health, the search for proper catalytic materials for the effective catalytic elimination of VOCs remains one of the most pressing issues in the environmental field. In this study, a series of mesoporous Co 3 O 4 -n (n = 0.00, 0.0001, 0.01, 0.05, 0.10, 1.00, representing the concentration of HNO 3 aqueous solution) catalysts were fabricated by the acid treatment of Co 3 O 4 that was previously prepared via a hydroxycarbonate precipitation method (Co 3 O 4 -P). The catalytic performances of the prepared catalysts were evaluated for the model reaction of toluene oxidation. An obvious enhancement of catalytic activity in the reaction was achieved over the acid-treated Co 3 O 4 catalysts using lower HNO 3 concentrations, with Co 3 O 4 -0.01 exhibiting the optimum catalytic activity (T 90 = 225°C, 15°C lower than that of Co 3 O 4 -P), excellent catalytic durability under dry conditions and a high regeneration capability under humid conditions. Benefitting from the dilute acid treatment, the Co 3 O 4 -n (n = 0.01, 0.05, 0.10) catalysts presented higher specific surface areas, more weak acidic sites and higher abundances of surface Co 2+ and O ads species, which were regarded as the key factors responsible for their enhanced catalytic activities.