Cu/gamma-Al2O3 catalysts with different copper content prepared by wet impregnation have been studied for the thermo-catalytic decomposition (TCD) of methane in the temperature range 800-1000 degrees C. The materials have been characterized using ICP-MS, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and BET analysis. Their redox and catalytic behaviour has been investigated using H-2 and CH4 temperature programmed reduction (TPR), FT-IR, TGA under reaction mixture and isothermal tests in a fixed bed reactor. The nature of the active phase and the best catalyst composition have been determined by comparison with reference compounds containing copper oxide and copper aluminate, respectively. Finally, the applicability of catalysts in a fluidized bed has been analyzed. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.