Fe/Al2O3 catalysts with different Fe loadings (10-90 mol%) were prepared by hydrothermal method. Ethanol decomposition was studied over these Fe/Al2O3 catalysts at temperatures between 500 and 800 degrees C to produce hydrogen and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) at the same time. The results showed that the catalytic activity and stability of Fe/Al2O3 depended strongly on the Fe loading and reaction temperature. The Fe(30 mol%)/Al2O3 and Fe(40 mol%)/Al2O3 were both the effective catalyst for ethanol decomposition into hydrogen and MWCNTs at 600 degrees C. Several reaction pathways were proposed to explain ethanol decomposition to produce hydrogen and carbon (including nanotube) at the same time. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.