The performance of Pd supported on alumina or titania, prepared by impregnation or sol-gel, for catalytic combustion of methane is studied. The addition of the Pd precursor after gelification of alumina has a beneficial effect on the catalytic properties of the catalysts. The better activity of the alumina catalysts is related to the high dispersion of the palladium particles, the low crystallite size and the high specific surface area. The catalytic activity of titania-based catalysts was only slightly affected by the preparation procedure. The addition of CO2 during the oxidation of methane promotes oxidation for the titania-based catalysts. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V All rights reserved.