In this paper, we report the synthesis of Au/SBA-15 and Au-Pd/SBA-15 materials by impregnation and grafting methods. It was found that the Au-Pd/SBA-15 sample prepared by the grafting method could highly disperse metal nanoparticles in mesoporous channels of SBA-15 and exhibit excellent catalytic performances for the selective oxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde at mild reaction conditions (air atmosphere, 80 degrees C). The prevention of agglomeration and leaching of gold nanoparticles by restricting them inside the mesopores of SBA-15 leads to a high stability of Au-Pd/SBA-15. In both approaches. the addition of Pd to Au/SBA-15 catalysts can decrease the size of gold nanoparticles, which attributes to higher activity for the selective aerobic oxidation of benzyl alcohol. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.