In this work, HZSM-5, Al-SBA-15 and Al-SBA-15/HZSM-5 were adopted as supporting materials for the nickel-based catalysts used in hydrodeoxygenation process. Incipient wetness impregnation method was employed to load nickel species onto these materials. The physicochemical characterization was carried out using advanced instruments. The effect of composition of nickel-based catalysts on hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) reaction was studied. Support materials of nickel-based catalyst have a significantly impact on HDO activity. The highest selectivity (67.9%) of propyl-cyclohexane was obtained over nickel based Al-SBA-15/HZSM-5 catalyst, and nearly all the eugenol was completely hydrodeoxygenated after reaction. The impact of light fractions existed in bio-oil on phenols upgrading process was investigated. The conversion of eugenol mixed with light fractions reached nearly 100% for all the reactions. Eugenol mixed with light fractions as reactant could reduce ring break reaction during hydrodeoxygenation process. The selectivity of alkanes remained nearly unchanged after adding ethylene glycol into the reactant. However, the selectivity of propyl-cyclohexane was significantly decreased by mixing furfural or acetic acid with eugenol as reactant. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.