The present paper reviews the current understanding of CeO2-ZrO2 mixed oxides as promoters of the three-way catalysts. Emphasis is given on the role of the synthesis and it is shown that by adopting an appropriate design of the CeO2-ZrO2 system, nanostructured materials of high thermal stability can be prepared that are suitable for next generation automotive converters. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.