The co-precipitated Ni/La2O3 catalyst had low total surface area and adsorption-desorption isotherm of nearly type II. The X-ray diffractogram demonstrates that NiO, LaNiO3, and La2O3 were the phases present in Ni/La2O3 catalyst. The decomposition of ethane over Ni/La2O3 catalyst has been investigated using temperature-programmed reaction (TPRn). TPRn profile exhibited both low temperature and high temperature range of carbon deposition and indicated the production of H-2 and CH4 in the gas phase from decomposition of ethane. Methane may be evolved from hydrogenation of surface methyl group from the decay of ethylidyne intermediate. The content, type of carbon, and kinetics of reaction of carbon with oxygen were determined by using temperature-programmed oxidation (TPO). Succeeding the regeneration of Ni/La2O3 catalyst after carbon deposition for three times with steam, this catalyst exhibited the similar TPRn spectra and had still initial activity toward ethane decomposition and carbon nanofibres production. Results of isothermal gasification of carbon nanofibres with steam at temperatures of 823-923 K showed that most of the carbon nanofibres are removed during reaction with steam. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.