A series of the Ce1-xCuxO2-x/Al2O3/FeCrAl catalysts (x = 0-1) were prepared. The structure of the catalysts was characterized using XRD, SEM and H-2-TPR. The catalytic activity of the catalysts for the combustion of methane was evaluated. The results indicated that in the Ce1-xCuxO2-x/Al2O3/FeCrAl catalysts the surface phase structure were the Ce1-xCuxO2-x solid solution, alpha-Al2O3 andy-Al2O3. The surface particle shape and size were different with the variety of the molar ratio of Cc to Cu in the Ce1-xCuxO2-x solid solution. The Cu component of the Ce1-xCuxO2-x/Al2O3/FeCrAl catalysts played an important role to the catalytic activity for the methane combustion. There were the stronger interaction among the Ce1-xCuxO2-x solid solution and the Al2O3 washcoats and the FeCrAl support. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.