The effect of cobalt precursor on the performance of Co/CeO2 catalysts in ethanol steam reforming was investigated. The catalysts were characterized using various characterization techniques including H-2 chemisorption, temperature-programmed reduction, temperature-programmed desorption, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy. The results obtained from steady-state reaction experiments showed a significantly better catalytic performance over the samples prepared by using organometallic Co precursors (especially, cobalt acetyl acetonate). Characterization results suggest that the organic ligands bound to the cobalt species might facilitate its dispersion on the surface of the CeO2 support, resulting in the improved activity and stability. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.