A series of Co-doped magnetoplumbite LaNixCo1-xAl11O19+delta catalysts were prepared and characterized by XRD, UV-DRS, TPR, and DTA-TG techniques. The experimental results showed that the series of catalysts possessed the pure magnetoplumbite structure and exhibited similar reduction stability values. At x less than or equal to 0.375, the activities of the catalysts apparently increased with the increase of x-value, while over 0.375 less than or equal to x less than or equal to 1.0, the activities of the catalysts remained almost constant. Thus, it can be concluded that the content of Ni that is between 0.375 less than or equal to x less than or equal to 0.50, is suitable for the titled reaction. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.