A composite H-beta zeolite membrane encapsulated 8waNi/8wt%Mg/Ce0.6Zr0.4O2 steam reforming catalyst was prepared by a physical coating method using silica sol as a binder between the H-beta zeolite shell and steam reforming catalyst core. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) analyses indicated that H-beta zeolite was coated successfully on the core reforming catalyst and the shell thickness was at least 100 nm. The pore size of H-beta zeolite shell was between 0.43 and 0.57 nm, as measured by the HK method. Steam reforming of CH4 and C7H8 (as a tar model) were conducted with the composite H-beta zeolite coated reforming catalyst, the two components individually, and physical mixtures of the two components as a function of temperature (780-840 degrees C). CH4 conversion was enhanced by a factor of 2-3 (depending on temperature) for the composite catalyst as compared to the core reforming catalyst individually even though the zeolite did not have any activity alone. Possible reasons for the enhanced CH4 conversion include confined reaction effects (increase residence time within pores) of the catalyst containing the zeolite coating and/or Al3+ promotion of the active sites. Alternatively, due to molecular-size selectivity, the composite H-beta zeolite coated reforming catalyst demonstrated a decrease in C7H8 conversion when compared to the uncoated reforming catalyst. The results validate the use of size selective catalysts to control molecular traffic and enhance the reforming reactant selectivity. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.