The catalytic activity of surface-modified single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) for partial oxidation processes was tested. A battery of characterization techniques including temperature programmed desorption (TPD) Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were used to probe the degree and type of oxygen bearing functional groups introduced on the nanotube surface and responsible for catalytic activity. Raman and optical absorption spectroscopy and temperature programmed oxidation (TPO), were used to probe the SWCNTs structure before and after reaction to monitor structural changes that take place during partial oxidation of ethanol to acetaldehyde. The results indicate a strong link between ketonic surface groups (C=O) on the SWCNTs surface and its catalytic activity for partial oxidation processes. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.