A series of CexZr1-xO2-based Cu catalysts was synthesized by the co-precipitation method. The influences of copper content, zirconium addition, and ratio of ceria to zirconia on the catalytic activity were investigated. BET, N2O decomposition, XRD, TEM, SEM, EDS, Raman spectroscopy, H-2-TPR, TG/DTA, and XPS were used to characterize the catalysts. The catalytic activity was tested in terms of CO conversion and H-2 selectivity in H-2-rich coal-derived synthesis gas, simulating the actual gas composition of an integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) system. The long-term catalyst stability was also examined at 450 degrees C for 196 h. The addition of zirconium was found to be very important in enhancing catalytic performance. The surface area, copper dispersion, oxygen storage and mobility capacity, reducibility, as well as resistance to sintering all improved after zirconium addition. Copyright (C) 2012, Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.