SO2 poisoning of methane oxidation over alumina-supported, Pd@CexZr1-xO2 nanoparticle catalysts was systematically studied by means of advanced PhotoElectron Spectroscopy (PES) methods. The Pd@CexZr1-xO2 units were synthesized and deposited on two modified-alumina supports, i.e. high surface area modified alumina and a model alumina prepared by Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) of alumina on Indium Tin Oxide (ITO)/quartz slides. The model support was designed to be suitable for PES analysis and was stable to high temperature treatments (850 degrees C). Characterization of the high-surface-area (HSA) catalysts by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), N-2 physisorption, CO chemisorption and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) indicated formation of CeO2-ZrO2 (CZ) mixed-oxide crystallites that stabilize the Pd active phase against sintering. Correlation of methane-oxidation rates with PES results demonstrated two distinct mechanisms for deactivation by SO2. Below 450 degrees C, the presence of SO2 in the feed led to partial reduction of the active PdO phase and to the formation of sulfates on the Pd. Above 500 degrees C, poisoning by SO2 was less severe due to spillover of the sulfates onto the oxide promoter. Pd@ZrO2 catalysts showed the best resistance to SO2 poisoning, outperforming analogous Pd@CZ mixed-oxide catalysts, because there was less sulfate formation and the sulfates that did form could be removed during regeneration. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.