Ni/Al2O3. hexaaluminate-type BaNixAl12-xO19-alpha and perovskite-type LaAl5/6Ni1/6O3 were investigated for partial oxidation of methane (POM). The hexaaluminate-type BaNiAl11O19-alpha calcined at 1400degreesC demonstrated more stable and higher activity than Ni/Al2O3 calcined at 1000degreesC. The BaNiAl11O19-alpha catalyst reduced at 1000 degreesC was more active than the catalyst reduced at 800 degreesC. The results from XPS analysis revealed that the hexaaluminate-type catalysts calcined and reduced at higher temperature had Ni-rich surfaces and highly dispersed Ni species derived from hexaaluminate crystal, resulting in high activity for partial oxidation of methane. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.