Enhancement of the dispersion and catalytic performances of copper in the hydrogenation of cinnamaldehyde by incorporation of aluminium into mesoporous SBA-15 silica

•Incorporating aluminium into mesoporous SBA-15 silica improves Cu dispersion.•The support is stable upon exposure to an impregnation aqueous solution.•The catalytic activity is enhanced compared to silica-supported Cu catalysts.•Lewis acidic sites favour the transformation of cinnamaldehyde into cinnamyl alcohol.