Hydrogen production from supercritical water gasification of lignin catalyzed by Ni supported on various zeolites

•The property and influence of Ni supported on 5 zeolites on SCWG of lignin were studied.•The order of catalytic activity on SCWG: Ni/4A > Ni/3A > Ni/5A > Ni/13X > Ni/ZSM-5.•The superiority of type-A zeolites over ZSM-5 as Ni support was the proper-size pores.•H2 yield was increased by 1.9 times with catalysis of 30 wt% Ni loaded on 4A zeolite.