Oxidative steam reforming of methanol to produce hydrogen was studied over Ce1-xZnxOy catalysts with different Ce/Zn ratio prepared by combustion method. Ce1-xZnxOy catalysts showed better catalytic activity, higher hydrogen selectivity and lower CO selectivity than both pure CeO2 and ZnO. When x <= 0.1, the catalysts by combustion formed Ce1-xZnxOy solid solution and the catalyst of Ce0.92Zn0.80Oy showed the best activity. The addition of ZnO promoted the reduction of CeO2 and significantly enhanced the adsorption of methanol, which may be responsible for the high activities of Ce1-xZnxOy. Copyright (C) 2011, Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.