Metal oxides are commonly used as oxidation catalysts. The present work investigates the effects of treatment with 0.5 and 1.0 N H2SO4 on the surface characteristics of three oxides, CoO, MnO2 and ZnO. The materials along with the parent oxides were characterized by powder XRD, FT-IR and SEM measurements. BET surface area and pore characteristics as well as cation exchange capacities of the materials were also determined. Significant differences were observed in the materials following acid treatment. These differences in the physico-chemical characteristics of the two sets of materials, were discussed on the basis of the possible use of the materials as oxidation catalysts.