In this study, a series of Ni nano-catalysts supported on Al2O3 and MgO were prepared through the co-precipitation technique. Effects of the Al/Mg ratio on physicochemical characteristics of Ni/Al2O3-MgO catalysts were examined. Moreover, catalytic performance was investigated in order to determine the optimum catalyst for H-2 production in aqueous phase reforming (APR) of glycerol. It was revealed that, the APR activity of synthesized catalysts strongly depended on the aforementioned ratio. In addition, it was observed that, the catalytic activity of Ni/MgO and Ni/Al2O3 samples were both lower than that of the corresponding mixed oxide supports. Furthermore, it was shown that, amongst the compositionally different prepared mixed oxide materials, the respective catalytic activities increased through enhancing of the Al/Mg ratio. It was demonstrated that the Ni/Al2Mg1 catalyst possessed highest catalytic activity of 92% glycerol conversion and selectivity towards hydrogen production of 76%. Ultimately, it was concluded that, the APR activity lowered in the following order: Ni/Al2Mg1 > Ni/Al2Mg1 > Ni/Al/Mg-2 > Ni/Al> Ni/Mg for the understudied synthesized materials. (C) 2017 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.