An innovative approach based on laser-induced photocatalytic approach, a H-rich mixture was produced by using p-type NiO, for the reforming of methanol at ambient temperature has been developed. A hydrogen-rich mixture of hydrogen (> 70%) and carbon monoxide (< 30%) along with a small concentration of methane (< 2%) was observed. No liquid products in measurable quantities were observed for methanol. The effect of chain elongation on the composition of syngas production was studied by using higher alcohols such as ethanol, propanol and isopropanol as feedstock. For higher alcohols, a significant decrease in CO production and increase in H-2/CO ratio was observed with the increase in chain length and complexity. The effect of water addition on hydrogen production was also studied by irradiating the mixtures of methanol and water under the same conditions as pure methanol. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.