The performance of ceria supported Rh catalysts prepared with high and low surface areas for steam reforming and dry reforming of ethanol was investigated. According to results of diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy of both reactions, dissociative adsorption of ethanol over ceria gives rise to ethoxy species and bridging OH groups. Oxidation of ethoxy species proceeds by addition of O provided by the support from species such as Type II bridging OH groups (i.e., steam reforming) or O adatoms (e.g.. CO2 reforming). Rh promotes demethanation of acetate to carbonate and the steam/dry reforming of CHx species. Catalyst deactivation occurs from the deposition of carbon on the catalysts during both reactions. However, no carbon formation is observed on the Rh/CeO2 high surface area catalyst during steam reforming due to a higher surface fugacity of O from species adsorbed on the support that react to remove carbon. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.