Nickel-based catalysts supported on Al2O3 center dot SiO2. were prepared with modification of the second metal involving La, Co, Cu, Zr or Y, of which the catalytic behaviors were assessed in the ethanol steam reforming reaction. Activity test indicated that addition of La resulted in higher selectivity of hydrogen and lower selectivity of carbon monoxide, compared with Co-doped nickel catalyst. Influences of lanthanum amounts on catalytic performance were studied over 30NixLa/Al2O3 center dot SiO2 (x = 5, 10, 15), and characterizations by XRD, TPR and XPS indicated that low amount of lanthanum additives (5%) was superior to inhibit the crystal growth of nickel as well as beneficial to the reduction of nickel oxide. Finally 100 h test for the optimal catalyst 30Ni5La/Al2O3 center dot SiO2 indicated its good long-term stability to provide high hydrogen selectivity and low carbon monoxide formation, as well as good resistance to coke deposition at low temperature. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.