Mixed copper and iron modified MCM-41 mesoporous silica with various Cu/Fe ratio are characterized by N-2 physisorption, X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron micrographs (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Moessbauer spectroscopy and temperature programmed reduction with hydrogen. Their catalytic properties in methanol decomposition to CO and H-2 are investigated and compared with that of the corresponding mono-component materials. The catalytic behaviour of bi-component materials are discussed based on the nature of the catalytic active sites. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.