Four supports (SH0.01, SH0.02, SH0.03 and SH0.05) were synthesized by template method and compared with commercial carrier gamma-Al2O3 (SHO), and the corresponding NiO/Al2O3 catalysts denoted as SHC0.01, SHC0.02, SHC0.03, SHC0.05 and SHCO were prepared by hydrolysis-deposition method. BET results showed that the pore volumes of all carriers were about 0.41 cm(3) g(-1), and the SH0.02 support with surface area up to 477 m(2) g(-1) and average pore diameter of 3.3 nm only. NH3-TPD results indicated that SH0.02 held the weakest surface acidity. XRD characterization results certificated that the SHC0.02 catalyst presented well NiO dispersion, and its Ni grain size was only 5.8 nm. H-2-TPR characterization results demonstrated that the proportion of NiO reduction peak area of SHC0.02 in the total reduction peak area was 86%. Evaluation experiments showed that the SHC0.02 catalyst performed the highest activity and selectivity than others. And the filamentous carbon deposited from long time stability test didn't cause catalyst deactivation, but massive accumulation of which would make bed pressure drop increase. Copyright (C) 2015, Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.