AbstractThe methane steam reforming (MSR) reaction is a significant process for hydrogen production, and developing catalysts with high activity and stability is crucial. In this work, the supported perovskite catalysts of Ni/LaBO3 and Ru‐Ni/LaBO3 (B = Al, Fe) were prepared by the sol–gel method using citric acid as a gelling agent for MSR to hydrogen production. The phase composition, pore structure, and surface morphology of the prepared catalysts were characterized by X‐ray diffractometer, Brunauer–Emett–Teller, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The reaction activity and stability of the prepared catalysts were tested in the fixed‐bed reactor with the temperature range of 500–800°C. The effect of Ru addition on the structure of perovskite and catalytic performance of MSR is explored. The results showed that 1wt%Ru–15wt%Ni/LaAlO3 catalyst exhibited the most excellent activity and stability during the reaction compared with the other three catalysts. The CH4 conversion, H2 selectivity, and H2 yield of the 1wt%Ru–15wt%Ni/LaAlO3 catalyst could reach 94.68%, 79.78%, and 48.65%, respectively, under the reaction temperature of 800°C and gas hourly space velocity of 36 000 mL/(gh), which were higher than those of a commercial catalyst. It was because that the relatively large surface area of perovskite support provides more active site and the addition of Ru enable Ni to have a smaller size and more dispersion. This study could provide a reference of perovskite catalysts for hydrogen production by MSR.