A new perovskite material, BaCe0.1Co0.4Fe0.5O3-delta used as dense oxygen permeable membrane for partial oxidation of methane (POM) reaction was investigated. In order to improve the synergetic effects between membrane and catalyst, LiLaNiO/gamma-Al2O3 catalyst was directly packed onto the surface of the membrane to carry out POM In BaCe0.1Co0.4Fe0.5O3-delta membrane reactor, high oxygen permeation flux, high CH4 conversion and CO selectivity were obtained. At 950 degrees C, oxygen flux of 9.5 ml cm(-2) min(-1), CH4 conversion of 99% and CO selectivity of 93% were achieved with a membrane thickness of 1.0 min. There was all induction process at the initial stage of POM, which was related to the reduction of NiO to Ni-0 in LiLaNiO/gamma-Al2O3 catalyst Experiments illustrated that higher reaction temperature would shorten the induction time. During continuously operating for 1000 h at 875 degrees C, no degradation of performance of the membrane reaction was observed. SEM characterization also demonstrated that the membrane disc maintained an integral structure without any cracks after long-term operation. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.