A method of manufacturing a copper-based catalyst having high activity and
superior heat resistance and a catalyst used for steam reforming of
methanol has Al alloy particles each having an oxide surface layer
containing fine copper oxide particles. The Al alloy particles are
produced by leaching Al alloy particles with an aqueous solution. The Al
alloy particles are prepared by pulverizing a bulky Al alloy having a
quasicrystalline phase, the quasicrystalline phase being represented by
the formula Al.sub.100-y-zCu.sub.yTM.sub.z (where y is 10 to 30 atomic
percent, z is 5 to 20 atomic percent, and TM indicates at least one of
transition metals other than Cu). In the catalyst, the oxide surface
layer containing fine copper oxide particles is formed by adjusting
leaching conditions so as to form an oxide surface layer, which contains
dispersed fine Cu particles and which is composed of an Al oxide and a
transition metal oxide, on the surface of each of the Al alloy particles.
The leached Al alloy particles are heat treated in an oxidizing
atmosphere, whereby some or all of the fine Cu particles contained in the
oxide surface layer are converted into the fine copper oxide particles.