mixed metal oxide catalyst coating is subjected to laser irradiation by a Nd:YAG laser operating at 266 nm to induce local changes in surface topography. The coating is exposed to laser interference patterns as well as to direct laser irradiation without interference. Samples are characterized by means of White Light Interferometry and Scanning Electron Microscopy. Irradiation with interference patterns causes the formation of wave-like surface patterns in micrometer scale whereas direct laser irradiation generates porosity with pore sizes in the range of 100nm. Emissivity-corrected infrared thermography (ecIRT) is applied to analyze the effect of surface topography changes on the catalytic activity of coatings in parallel. The catalytic combustion of iso-octane with different contents of oxygen in nitrogen is used as a test reaction for catalytic activity. Local temperature increase on the substrate is chosen as a measure for catalytic activity. For laser interference structured coating, the catalytic activity improves with increase in geometric surface area caused by the wave-like pattern. For direct laser irradiation, the porosity created by the laser enhances catalytic activity with respect to the unstructured coating.