Bimetallic palladium-platinum nanoparticles supported on alumina were prepared by flame spray pyrolysis. The as-prepared materials were characterized by scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), CO chemisorption, nitrogen adsorption (BET), X-ray diffraction (XRD), temperature programmed reduction (TPR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy. The materials were tested for the catalytic combustion of methane with a focus on the thermal stability of the noble metal particles. After flame synthesis the noble metal components of the materials were predominantly in oxidized state and finely dispersed on the alumina matrix. Reduction afforded small bimetallic Pd-Pt alloy particles (< 5nm) supported on Al2O3 ceramic nanoparticles. The addition of small amounts of platinum made the palladium particles more resistant against sintering at high temperatures and further lowered the deactivation observed during methane combustio
