Coral-like nanostructured alpha-Mn2O3 nanocrystals were prepared by oxidative decomposition of MnCO3, exhibiting tremendous activity in the catalytic combustion of methane. This prepared alpha-Mn2O3 nanocrystals showed ultra-high stability during reaction while the structure feature was unaffected. The ultra-stable structure of the alpha-Mn2O3 catalyst has been demonstrated by characterization of SEM, XPS, XRD, Raman spectroscopy. The performance of the alpha-Mn2O3 nanocrystals has proven reproducible and potentially to be an applied catalyst for methane combustion. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.