Experimental results of catalytic activity, selectivity and coking phenomenon on co-precipitated cobalt catalysts with the ZnO-Al(2)O(3) support in the steam reforming of ethanol (SRE) are reported. The influence of the cobalt active phase content (9-41 wt.%) and the reaction temperature (350-600 degrees C) was the point at issue. From the point of view of activity and selectivity, temperatures 420. C and higher favoured steam reforming of ethanol on supported cobalt catalysts. At these temperatures the conversion of ethanol reached 100%, simultaneously the hydrogen yield achieved the level of above 5 mol of H(2) formed from 1 mol of EtOH introduced to the reaction, as well as the selectivity of carbon monoxide formation was depressed to 2-3%. However, taking into account possibility of coking of catalysts, the optimum temperature of the SRE is 420 degrees C. The catalyst containing 24 wt.% of cobalt was the most effective one. The obtained results are very important in the aspect of electricity generation in fuel cells feed with a reformate gas. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.