Several SBA-15 type mesoporous silicas, where different means of surfactant removal have been used, have been modified by copper and iron oxide, and tested as catalyst for methanol decomposition. The materials were thoroughly characterized by nitrogen physisorption, X-ray diffraction, Moessbauer spectroscopy and temperature programmed reduction with hydrogen. The different means of template removal results in SBA-15 materials different in mesopore size and degree of microporosity. These parameters have a strong influence on the reductive and catalytic properties of the obtained composite materials. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.