Some physico-chemical and catalytic properties of NiO-Bi-2 O-3 catalysts containing various amounts of components in the range 0-100 wt% of one component have been studied before and after 1-MGy-gamma irradiation in air or in water using the hydrogen peroxide decomposition as a test reaction. Irradiation, when performed in water, led to a decrease in catalytic activity but did not lead to modification of the mutual influence of both components of the catalysts. The annealing of radiation effects was observed at temperatures above 50 degrees C. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd.