An activity and surface properties of nickel catalysts supported on ceria-zirconia used in thermo-chemical conversion of cellulose were studied. The CeO2-ZrO2 (containing 15% and 50% of CeO2) supports were prepared by impregnation, precipitation and sol gel methods. In the subsequent step 20% of nickel was introduced on their surface by impregnation. The surface properties of the investigated catalysts were characterized by Xray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and temperature programmed reduction (TPR). An acidity and surface area of the studied samples were also determined. The composition of the gaseous products was identified using gas chromatography (GC). The performed studies exhibited that Ni/CeO2-ZrO2 catalysts were efficient in the hydrogen production in the cellulose conversion process and its activity decreased slower than in the case of Ni/ZrO2 sample. (C) 2015 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.