A self-sustained electrochemical promotion (SSEP) catalyst is synthesized for partial oxidation reforming (PDXR) of CH4 to produce syngas (H-2 and CO) at a relatively low temperature ranging from 350 to 650 degrees C. The SSEP catalyst is comprised of 4 components: microscopic Ni/Cu/CeO2 anode, La0.9Sr0.1MnO3 cathode, copper as electron conductor, and yttria-stabilized-zirconia as oxygen ion conductor, which form microscopic electrochemical cells to enable the self-sustained electrochemical promotion for the PDXR process. The SSEP catalyst exhibited much better catalytic performance in PDXR of CH4 than a Ni-Cu-CeO2 catalyst and a commercial Pt-CeO2 catalyst. The CH4 conversion over the SSEP catalyst is 29.4% at 350 degrees C and reaches 100% at 550 degrees C and the maximum selectivity to H-2 is on the level of 90% at 450-650 degrees C under a GHSV of 42,000 h(-1). The mechanism of the SSEP is discussed. Copyright (C) 2013, Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.