A laser based method for photocatalytic reforming of methanol at ambient temperature using n-type WO3 semiconductor catalyst has been investigated for the first time. A non-explosive mixture of gases containing hydrogen, carbon monoxide and methane with high concentration of hydrogen was observed. The amount of catalyst and laser energy was optimized for maximum yield of hydrogen. The effect of aging of the catalyst proved that there was no deactivation of catalyst; instead, an increase in the activity of the catalyst was observed. The effect of addition of water to methanol in various proportions as feedstock on the hydrogen yield during this laser induced photocatalytic process was also studied. (C) 2004 Published by Elsevier B.V.