Ni-WO3/SBA-15 catalysts were prepared by an impregnation way and applied to the hydrogenolysis of cellulose in aqueous solution. The effect of nickel and WO3 loading, catalysts reduction temperature and time on cellulose conversion were investigated. Up to 70.7% ethylene glycol yield was obtained over 3%Ni-15%WO3/SBA-15 catalysts. Several physicochemical methods such as XRD, Raman spectroscopy, NH3-TPD, H-2-TPR and XPS were used to determine the character of catalysts. Based on these studies, it was found that there was a strong electronic interaction between NiO and WO3, which not only promoted the reduction of WO3, but restrained the reduction of NiO. Together with the experimental results, it can be concluded that the WO3-x, which may be the active species for the selective cleavage of C C bond, was formed after catalysts pretreatment process. Additionally, a possible catalytic mechanism was proposed. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.