A series of HBeta, HZSM-5, Al2O3, MgO and hydrotalcite precursor supported Pt catalysts were prepared and used for glycerol hydrogenolysis to 1,2-propanediol (1,2-TPD) in a base-free aqueous solution. XRD, TEM, CO2-TPD and H-2-TPD characterizations concluded that the activity for glycerol hydrogenolysis of the tested catalysts depends mainly on their alkalinity and particle size of Pt. A hydrotalcite precursor supported Pt catalyst with strong alkalinity and highly dispersed Pt particles exhibited the predominant performance for the desired reaction (with a 93.0% selectivity of 1,2-PDO at a conversion of 92.1%) in a base-free aqueous solution at lower pressure, and can be recycled simply by filtration.