In this work PtOx/beta-Ga2O3 is prepared and characterized in order to test its properties in the photoinduced methanol reforming reaction using UV-vis irradiation. XRD, TEM and XPS techniques are used to characterize the fresh and recovered Pt-containing and Pt-free samples. Our results prove that in the presence of Pt the Ga2O3 is converted into GaOOH as a result of the irradiation and/or in situ photoinduced H-2 formation. In parallel, Pt is gradually reduced and the unusually low value of the 4f(7/2) binding energy of the metallic Pt component evidences electron transfer from GaOOH towards Pt in accordance with its role as cocatalyst. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.