This paper reports the preparation and characterization of Co/ZrO2 thin film catalysts. ZrO2 thin films (S-BET similar to 25 m(2) g(-1)) have been prepared at low temperature by magnetron sputtering. This procedure is typically used to get compact thin films and has been modified to prepare porous catalyst layers. The obtained results prove that this can be an interesting alternative for catalyst shaping of interest for different applications. Incorporation on the zirconia support of a well-dispersed cobalt phase is achieved by electrochemical and wetness impregnation methods. Catalyst thin films deposited on stainless-steel plates have been characterized by SEM and XPS. BET measurements, carried out according to a special procedure, have been used to determine the specific surface area of the thin film catalysts.Catalytic tests for NO (1000 ppm) reduction with CH4 or C3H8 (2500 ppm) in the presence or absence of O-2 (3%) in the reactant glow show that the thin film catalyst depicts a similar catalytic behavior than a Co/ZrO2 powder catalyst prepared by conventional methods. The results can be summarized as follows: (i) with CH4 in the absence of O-2, a maximum of 50% reduction of NO to N-2 was obtained at 823 K; (ii) a similar conversion was obtained at 623 K when O-2 was present in the reaction flow; (iii) with C3H8 a 90% conversion was obtained at 823 K without O-2, while no conversion at all was detected in the presence of O-2, although 90% of the hydrocarbon was oxidized to CO2 and H2O at this temperature. The advantages and possibilities of using non-conventional methods of synthesis of thin film catalysts are highlighted.