Shaped catalysts are crucial for technological applications. In this context, we have developed Co-alpha Al2O3 catalyst films deposited over Cu plates to be used in hydrogen generation by hydrolysis of sodium borohydride NaBH4 in alkaline solution. The Co-alpha Al2O3 films were prepared by electrophoretic deposition according to six different routes. While five of them failed in fabricating adhering films, the sixth route, consisting of electrodepositing Co-impregnated alpha Al2O3, showed promising results. The as-obtained shaped catalysts were stable when hydrogen vigorously bubbled and catalyzed the NaBH4 hydrolysis with attractive hydrogen generation rates. These results open an alternative route for preparing shaped catalysts in this reaction. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.