Ni/HZSM-5 catalysts with different Ni contents ranging from 0.76 to 5.05 wt.% were prepared by wet impregnation method. The catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and N-2 adsorption, diffuse reflectance ultraviolet-visible spectra (UV-vis DRS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), temperature-programmed desorption of ammonia (NH3-TPD) and the Fourier transform infrared spectra for pyridine adsorption (Py-IR), followed by the evaluation for the propene oligomerization to high-quality liquid fuels. It was demonstrated that the chemical state of the nickel in the final catalyst was affected by the NiSO4 concentration. And also the catalyst acidity was modified by the addition of NiSO4, both of the number of Lewis and Bronsted acid sites and the strength of acid sites increase with the increasing of the NiSO4 content. Compared with the parent HZSM-5, the addition of NiSO4 to HZSM-5 promotes the high molecular weight oligomers formation, with high selectivity to diesel. The catalytic performance seems to be relevant to the ratio of Ni2+/acid sites. The 2.21 wt.% Ni/HZSM-5 catalyst exhibits high stability for the propene oligomerization with propene conversion of about 70% and diesel selectivity of about 80% during the 72 h time on stream. (c) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.