Platinum-based catalysts for the room temperature removal of formaldehyde are prepared on ceria and other supports (TiO2, Al2O3 and ZrO2) for comparison, starting from chloride and nitrate precursors. The behaviour towards formaldehyde adsorption and oxidation is evaluated by means of temperatureprogrammed desorption (TPD), temperature-programmed oxidation (TPO) and catalytic tests. The results indicate that the catalytic performances are affected by Pt oxidation state, which, in turn, strongly depends on the properties of the support. In order to obtain high HCHO conversions, the support should guarantee the accessibility to metal active sites as well as affinity for water. Moreover, to avoid Pt partial oxidation, non-reducible oxides are preferable to reducible ones. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.