Cordierite monoliths coated with Co/ZnO catalysts were prepared by washcoating, urea, and techniques and characterized by confocal microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) temperature-programmed (TPR), and adherence tests. The performance of the catalytic monoliths for practical application in production of hydrogen through ethanol steam reforming (ESR) and water gas shift (WGS) reactions evaluated. Monoliths prepared by the urea method exhibited excellent dispersion and adherence catalyst coatings and performed better for the reforming of ethanol. 5.6 mol H-2/Mol C2H5OH obtained from a C2H5OH:H2O = 1:6 gaseous mixture at 723 K and 0.33 mL min(-1) of C2H5OH. Under conditions and total ethanol conversion the composition of the effluent stream was 73.9% H-2, 23.7% 1.2% CO, and 1.0% CH4. The amount of CO was kept low due to the activity of monoliths for the reaction under ethanol steam reforming conditions. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights