Chlorinated volatile organic compounds (CVOCs) have been regarded as hazardous atmospheric pollutants, and catalytic oxidative destruction has been considered as the most efficient method to handle such contaminants. Herein, characteristics of Al, Si and Ti based supporting materials were modified with cupric chloride to enhance catalytic performance for the complete oxidation of 1,2-dichlroethane (DCE). According to the supporting materials in the presence or absence of active materials, physicochemical properties of catalysts appear to be quite differentiated, and the relationship between modified properties and its catalytic performance was observed and discussed. Among the studied catalysts, CuCl2/Al1Ti1Ox composite showed the highest catalytic performance, which could be attributed to several beneficial effects associated with proper textural property, abundant acid sites and oxidizing ability. This catalyst designing strategy described in this study suggests a prospective way to develop efficient catalysts fashioned of non-precious, earth-abundant materials for the catalytic oxidation of CVOCs.