ZrO 2 /Al 2 O 3 samples were prepared by impregnation of the alumina powder with a solution of zirconium hydroxide in nitric acid, containing ZrO 2 in the range of 1-20 wt%. Platinum was impregnated by incipient wetness technique, using an aqueous solution of H 2 PtCl 6 . The surface coverage of zirconia on alumina, as probed by XPS and ISS, increased up to 10 wt% of ZrO 2 and above this concentration crystallites of zirconia nucleated, which decreases the BET surface area. XRD measurements indicated that the average size of these crystallites was about 1 nm. ISS data of Pt/ZrO 2 and Pt/10%ZrO 2 /Al 2 O 3 catalysts, after reduction at 773 K indicated an increase in the surface population of Zr atoms which are able to catch CO. This interaction was also probed by FTIR spectra of CO adsorbed on Pt/ZrO 2 catalyst, where an intense band at 2130 cm --1 , associated to CO adsorption on Pt-ZrO x interface, was observed.