The bulk structure, surface characteristics and catalytic properties of Fe-based perovskite-type oxides with the formula La1-xSrxCo0.2Fe0.8O3-delta for x=0.2. 0.4, 0.6 and 0.8 have been investigated as potential anode catalysts for solid oxide fuel cells. The properties were found to strongly depend upon Sr-content, temperature, and environment. The bulk structure shifted towards being oxygen deficient and cubic under atmospheric conditions as the Sr content increased. The oxygen activation was found to be a strong function of Sr content with the catalysts being more active and having a lower activation energy for Sr-rich La1-xSrxCo0.2Fe0.8O3-delta. The materials showed good activity for methane oxidation forming only complete oxidation products and showing no propensity to coke formation, making them a stable potential anode catalyst for SOFCs. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.