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In this work five CuO‐ZnO‐Al2O3 catalysts were synthesized using the sol‐gel method, with different Cu percentages, for use in the methanol steam reforming reaction, at 300 °C, aiming to generate hydrogen for PEM (Polymer Electrolyte Membrane) fuel cells. The specific area and total pore volume of the materials decreased with increasing Cu content and consequently reduced the alumina content. Also, the area decreased with increasing the calcination temperature, due to the sintering and coalescence of Cu crystals. The metal dispersion decreased (from 32 to 4 %) with increasing the Cu amount (from 8.9 to 48.4 %). For this reaction, the catalyst with the second highest Cu concentration (40.6 %) was the most active and had the higher Cu area (34.8 m2Cu/gcat). Meanwhile, the catalyst with the lowest Cu content (8.9 %) had its active sites better used, presenting the highest turnover frequency, specific area, and metal dispersion. The experimental results indicated that there was an optimum composition for the catalyst, which would provide the best area and dispersion for the reaction, with a view to industrial application. This composition was statistically calculated to be 33 % (g/g) of Cu.

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