For the first time, the research team aim to use INS to characterise a series of new high specification methane reforming catalysts. The enhanced performance of these catalysts is critically dependent on preparative procedures and this study aims to examine how specific preparative methodologies lead to the formation of distinct hydrocarbonaceous overlayers, which in turn directly affect the process chemistry. MAPS will be used to obtain the INS spectra of three catalysts at high resolution, that will previously have been examined using the TOSCA spectrometer. Good resolution in the diagnostic C-H stretching region is essential to be able to properly discriminate between the nature of the hydrocarbonaceous overlayers, that define the active phase of the heterogeneous catalyst.