Catalytic activity of Cu/ZnO/ZrO2 for methanol steam reforming to hydrogen is stabilized by coprecipitation of Cu/ZnO/ZrO2 on a zirconia support. The coprecipitate coarsely covers the surface of the support while the particle structure is similar to that without the support. Deactivation of Cu/ZnO/ZrO2 in methanol steam reforming at 400 or 500 degrees C is mitigated in the presence of the support which suppresses the sintering of Cu particles. Although the Cu content of a supported catalyst is a half of that without the support, the activity of the supported catalyst is appreciably higher after the reaction at 400 degrees C for 5 h due to the higher Cu dispersion and surface activity. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.