The Cr/Al and Cr-Ni/Al catalysts Were prepared and contrastively studied for propane dehydrogenation reaction. The results verify that the catalytic performances of Cr-Ni/Al catalysts are evidently higher than those of Cr/Al catalysts due to the impregnation of Ni species. Especially, the propane conversion of 2.5Cr-Ni/Al catalyst attains similar to 43%; while it is only similar to 24% for 2.5Cr/Al catalyst without Ni species. The promotion effects of Ni on the properties of Cr/Al catalysts for propane dehydrogenation reaction are elaborated upon several state-of-art physico-themical characterizations including UV-vis, XPS, H-2-TPR, NH3-TPD and soon. These characterizations fully confirm the existence of interaction between Ni and Cr species on the surfaces of Cr-Ni/Al catalysts. In addition, the introduction of Ni promotes the formation of oligomeric chromium species and affects the valence of surface Cr species on supports, which would have crucial influences on the improvement of catalytic activity for propane dehydrogenation reaction. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.