Micromembranes integrating nanometer-scale I'd films (see figure) with complex oxide methanol-reforming catalysts demonstrate high-purity hydrogen generation. Washcoating of an 8:1 LaNi0.95CO0.05O3/Al2O3 catalyst serves the dual purposes of preventing thin-film disintegration upon direct exposure to methanol while providing improved selectivity and conversion of methanol to hydrogen through partial oxidation.