A space-confined synthesis method, using a mesoporous template that produces nano-sized copper (similar to 3.6 nm crystal size) by the thermal hydrogen reduction (THR) of spinel CuFe2O4 nano-crystals, that have a high surface area similar to 126 m(2)/g, (c.f. commonly cited literature values <10 m(2)/g) and a rod-like morphology, is described. In situ XRD and temperature program reduction (TPR) results showed that the generation of the copper nanoparticles occurred at 210 degrees C, which is lower than other reported literature values-due to the fine crystal size of the spinel CuFe2O4. The generated copper nanoparticles were also characterized by XANES, and FT-EXAFS. We have used the steam reforming of methanol (SRM) as a model reaction to demonstrate the capability of the materials formed in which a 100% conversion of methanol by steam reforming was achieved at approximately 240 degrees C. The proposed synthesis method combines metallurgy and THR while at the same time effectively resolving issues related to the large crystal sizes, higher calcinations temperature (above 750 degrees C) and low surface areas (below 10 m(2)/g), that commonly occur in conventional solid state methods. The mixed metal oxide synthesis method, using a mesoporous template, can also be applied to other heterogeneous metal oxide systems. (C) 2011 Elsevier BM. All rights reserved.