Pd doped CaCo x Zr 1-x O 3- δ perovskites for automotive emissions control

•Novel CaCoxZr1-xO3-δ perovskites showed remarkable oxygen storage capacity.•Perovskite reducibility and thermal stability increased with increasing Zr content.•B-site Pd doping further increased reducibility by lowering reduction temperature.•CaCo0.5Zr0.5O3-δ w/or w/o Pd doping gave optimized material performance.•Pd-doped perovskites showed profound catalytic activity for CO and HC oxidation.