Hydrogen production by steam reforming of ethanol over Ni/Al2O3-La2O3 xerogel catalysts

•Ni/Al2O3-xLa2O3 catalysts with different La/Al molar ratio (x=0–0.2) were prepared.•Hydrogen was produced by steam reforming of ethanol.•Nickel surface area of the catalysts increased with increasing La/Al molar ratio.•Ethanol adsorption capacity of the catalysts decreased with increasing La/Al molar ratio.•Hydrogen yield showed a volcano-shaped trend with respect to La/Al molar ratio.