The effects of Y addition to Pd/Ce-Zr/Al2O3 catalyst have been investigated for the combustion of methane. The supported Pd catalysts are characterized by XPS, TPR, TPO and TPSR techniques in order to study the oxidation/reduction properties. Activity tests in methane combustion show that addition of Y to Pd/CeZr/Al2O3 catalyst remarkably promotes its low-temperature and total conversion activity. In addition, the introduction of Y also greatly suppresses deactivation of Pd/Ce-Zr/Al2O3 and endows Pd/Ce-Zr-Y/Al2O3 with higher thermal stability than Pd/Ce-Zr/Al2O3. The characterization results of catalysts indicate that the addition of Y to Pd/Ce-Zr/Al2O3 catalyst can effectively inhibit the decomposition of PdO particles and improve the reduction-reoxidation properties of the active PdO species, which increases the catalytic activity and thermal stability of the Pd/Ce-Zr/Al2O3 catalyst. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.