Spinel materials can be appropriate candidates for supporting the catalysis domain because of several properties, such as high thermal stability and porous structure. In this work, MAl2O4 spinels (M: Ni, Co, Zn, and Mg) are prepared using commercial A520 (Al-MOF) and M(NO3)(2)center dot 6H(2)O (M: Ni, Co, Zn, and Mg) at 750 degrees C. The prepared spinels are applied to support Cu active metal in the methanol steam-reforming (MSR) reaction. The fabricated catalysts are characterized comprehensively by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), temperature-programmed reduction (H-2-TPR), temperature-programmed desorption (NH3-TPD), and BET surface area analysis (S-BET). An extensive study of the MSR process using microstructure monolith/MAl2O4/Cu catalysts is accomplished in the range of 150-300 degrees C. High methanol conversion, good H-2 selectivity, and lower CO selectivity are obtained for Cu/MgAl2O4 among all prepared catalysts. The TEM micrograph for Cu/MgAl2O4 demonstrates platelet morphology at an average size of similar to 50 nm. Based on thermal analysis, the amount of coke deposited on four spent catalysts after 30 h on stream at 200 degrees C is less than 1%. (C) 2020 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.