Production of hydrogen by methanol steam reforming has been studied over a series of Ni/Al layered double hydroxide catalysts prepared by the co-precipitation method, with the aim to develop a stable catalyst that can be used in a membrane-joint performer at temperatures greater than 300 degrees C. H-2, CO and CO2 are generally the major products together with trace amounts of CH4. The presence of potassium and/or sodium cations was found to improve the activity of methanol conversion. The selectivity for CO2 rather than CO was better with K ions than Na ions, especially at higher temperatures (e.g. 390-400 degrees C). Methanol steam reforming over a K-promoted Ni/Al layered double hydroxide catalyst resulted in better activity and similar stability compared to a commercial Cu catalyst. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.