Supported platinum catalysts were prepared by precipitation of H2PtCl6 on powders of different metal oxides. Catalytic activity of the prepared catalysts was tested with reaction of partial oxidation of methanol (POM) for hydrogen production. Most of the prepared catalysts can ignite POM at the ambient temperature. The conversion of methanol and the selectivity of hydrogen and carbon monoxide, however, increased with the reaction temperature and varied with the kind of support and platinum loading. A 1 wt% Pt/ZnO catalyst exhibited optimized methanol conversion and selectivity at a low reaction temperature of 150 degrees C. The reactor may reach this temperature within 2 min after a start of the exothermic reaction. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.