A series of SnO2‐based catalysts modified by Mn, Zr, Ti and Pb oxides with a Sn/M （M=Mn, Zr, Ti and Pb） molar ratio of 9/1 were prepared by a co‐precipitation method and used for CH4 and CO oxidation. The Mn3＋, Zr4＋, Ti4＋and Pb4＋cations are incorporated into the lattice of tetragonal rutile SnO2 to form a solid solution structure. As a consequence, the surface area and thermal stability of the catalysts are improved. Moreover, the oxygen species of the modified catalysts become easier to be reduced. Therefore, the oxidation activity over the catalysts was improved, except for the one modified by Pb oxide. Manganese oxide demonstrates the best promotional effects for SnO2. Using an X‐ray diffraction extrapolation method, the lattice capacity of SnO2 for Mn2O3 was 0.135 g Mn2O3/g SnO2, which indicates that to form stable solid solution, only 21%Sn4＋cations in the lattice can be maximally replaced by Mn3＋. If the amount of Mn3＋cations is over the capacity, Mn2O3 will be formed, which is not favorable for the activity of the catalysts. The Sn rich samples with only Sn‐Mn solid solution phase show higher activity than the ones with excess Mn2O3 species.
