Silica-supported Zn-Ni catalyst prepared by thermal decomposition of [Zn(H2O)(6)](2)[Ni(NCS)(6)]center dot H2O/SiO2 precursor was tested in the water gas shift reaction. The characterization of both precursor and calcined catalyst was carried out using powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), FT-infrared, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), BET specific surface area and thermal analysis methods (TGA and DSC). The water gas shift reaction was studied over prepared catalyst in the temperature range of 280-420 degrees C. gas hourly space velocity (GHSV) of 3600h(-1) and H2O/CO molar ratio of 4 at atmospheric pressure. The Zn-Ni/SiO2 catalyst presented higher activity than the reference catalysts prepared by impregnation and co-precipitation methods. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.