CeO2 had a lower activity for hydrocarbon oxidation according to the correlation between the rate of hydrocarbon oxidation and metal-oxygen bond strength (volcano plot). However, the CH4 combustion activity of the nanosized CeO2 supported on barium hexaaluminates was so high that the temperature for 10% conversion was comparable with that of noble metal oxide catalysts. Such a result has attracted considerable attention due to effect of preparation on the structure and combustion activity of CeO2-containing catalysts. In present work, BaMAl11 O-19 (- alpha) (M = Mn, Co, Ce) catalysts were prepared by reverse microemulsion. Effect of M on phase composition, specific surface area and CH4 combustion activity was investigated. beta-Al2O3 and CeO2 are the major phase in the BaMmAl(11)O(19-a) and BaCeA(11) O19 - alpha catalysts, respectively, while BaCoAl11 O19-alpha, catalyst consists of gamma-Al2O3 and alpha-Al2O3 phase. The BaCeAl11O19-alpha has the highest surface area among the three catalysts, but its combustion activity is lower than that of the BaMnA(11)O(19-alpha), catalyst. On the basis of the results from BaMAl11O19-alpha (M = Mn, Co, Ce) catalysts, CeO2/BaMnAl11O19-alpha catalysts were prepared. It not only has a higher specific area but also has a higher activity for methane combustion. The results from the 100 h activity test showed that CeO2/BaMnAll, O19-alpha might be a candidate for catalytic gas turbine combustor.