Effect of ethanol on SAPO-11 and Ni/SAPO-11 catalysts was systematically investigated. The pore structure and surface acidity of the SAPO-11 are sensitive to the impregnation solvents. Ethanol was less destructive to the pore structure compared with water, and more surface moderate acid sites were presented on the SAPO-11 treated with ethanol. The Ni/SAPO-11 catalysts were prepared via impregnation method. The solvent effect was also exhibited. The sample prepared with ethanol exposed a higher metal dispersion on the surface and larger micro-pore volume than that of prepared with water. There were more moderate acid sites over the catalyst when the ethanol was used as the solvent. The higher metal dispersion and rich moderate acid sites contributed higher i-heptane selectivity and yield to the catalyst prepared with ethanol. Of note is that the selectivity of the SAPO-11 can be shown in the isomerization of n-heptane and the amount of supported Ni for the catalysts should be paid more attention to. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.