In order to reduce the coke formation over a conventional Ni/gamma-Al(2)O(4) catalyst and increase the activity at low temperature, we used the impregnation approach to synthesize MgO (30.0 wt.%)/Zeolite Y catalysts loaded with bimetallic Ni(10.0 wt.%)/Ga(10.0-30.0 wt.%) and study the steam-reforming reactions of ethanol. The Ga-loaded catalyst impregnated between the Ni and Mg components exhibits significantly higher reforming reactivity compared to the conventional Ni/Mg/Zeolite Y catalyst. The main products from steam reforming over the Ni/Ga/Mg/Zeolite Y catalyst are only H(2) and CH(4) at above 550 degrees C, and the catalytic performances differ according to the amount of Ga. The H(2) production and ethanol conversion are maximized at 87% and 100%, respectively, over Ni(10)/Ga(30)/Mg(30)/Zeolite Y at 700 degrees C for 1 h at CH(3)CH(2)OH:H(2)O = 1:3 and a gas hourly space velocity (GHSV) of 6740 h(-1), and the high performance is maintained for up to 59 h. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.