Ceria-zirconia samples doped with Gd, Pr, Sm, or La cations were prepared via Pechini route and promoted by Pt. Effect of their real structure and surface properties (characterized by neutronography, EXAFS, XPS, FTIRS of adsorbed CO) on the mobility and reactivity of the lattice oxygen (by oxygen isotope exchange and CH4 TPR) was analyzed. For the reaction of CH4 steam reforming (SR), catalytic performance is determined both by Pt dispersion and lattice oxygen mobility. Ni-YSZ anodes promoted by these catalysts possess a stable and efficient performance in CH4 SR in the 600-800°C range in stoichiometric feeds without coking.