Generally speaking, metal is necessary to serve as the active center in C-H activation. Herein, we found that the N-C part of the metal-free nitrogen-doped carbon nanotube (NCNT) can be used as the active center in methane C-H activation. The NCNT can activate O-2 and further activate methane by the adsorbed oxygen atoms. The catalytic ability of this metal-free NCNT is comparable to these reported noble metal catalysts and enzymes. Another character being different from many previous catalysts is that both two O atoms of O-2 can be effectively used as oxidant in the catalytic cycle of NCNT. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.