A series of ZrO2 supported copper catalysts were prepared by impregnation of incipient wetness method and tested in gas phase hydrogenolysis of glycerol to 1,2-propanediol. The pore structure, morphology, crystalline phase and reducibility of the catalysts were characterized by BET, TEM, XRD and H2-TPR, respectively. The effect of support was screened in preliminary tests, where SiO2 was found to be the best in activity and selectivity, but failed in stability; ZrO2was the next in activity, but inferior in selectivity. For purpose of modification, the elements of rare earths like La, Ce, Y were added in ZrO2 by coprecipitation method. The performance of catalysts was obviously improved after doping of La, Ce and Y in ZrO2 support, among which, yttria stabilized ZrO2 (YSZ) was the best. Later, Ce was introduced as a promoter by successive impregnation of Cu and Ce precursors. The best catalyst was found to be 18wt.%Cu-4wt.%CeO2/YSZ, with the yield of 1,2-propanediol over 93%. Instrumental characterization revealed that this catalyst contained an open pore structure and BET surface area 107m2/g, while its CuO crystal was also the smallest in size and easiest to reduce. Time-on-stream test was carried out with the thoroughly optimized catalyst, a 1,2-propanediol yield over 94% was maintained over 1600hr, foreseeing a prospect of commercialization.