This paper presents a new self-sustained electrochemical promotion (SSEP) catalyst. The SSEP catalyst consists of microscopic selective anodic (Ni-Cu-CeO2) and cathodic (La0.9Sr0.1MnO3) phases that are coupled via microscopic oxygen ion conduction (yttria-stabilized zirconia, YSZ) and electronic conduction (Ni-Cu) phases. A series of partial oxidation reforming (POXR) tests on n-pentadecane in the temperature range between 450 and 650 degrees C were conducted in order to verify the effect of SSEP. The SSEP catalyst was compared with non-SSEP catalysts in short of one or more components. The performance of the SSEP catalyst was better than that of the non-SSEP catalysts in the entire temperature range. At 450 and 500 degrees C, the fuel conversion and yield of the SSEP catalysts were respectively 2-4 folds and hundreds of folds better than those of the non-SSEP catalysts and a commercial Pt-CeO2 catalyst under the same operation conditions. These results demonstrate that the concept of SSEP catalysts can be employed to improve catalytic POXR of heavy hydrocarbons. Copyright (c) 2012, Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.