CeO2-promoted Ni/Al2O3-ZrO2 (Ni/Al2O3-ZrO2-CeO2) catalysts were prepared by a direct sol-gel process with citric acid as gelling agent.The catalysts used for the methane reforming with CO2 was studied by infrared spectroscopy (IR), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), microscopic analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and temperature-programmed reduction (TPR).The catalytic performance for CO2 reforming of methane to synthesis gas was investigated in a continuous-flow micro-reactor under atmospheric pressure.TGA, IR, XRD and microscopic analysis show that the catalysts prepared by the direct sol-gel process consist of Ni particles with a nanostructure of around 5 nm and an amorphous-phase composite oxide support.There exists a chemical interaction between metallic Ni particles and supports, which makes metallic Ni well dispersed, highly active and stable.The addition of CeO2 effectively improves the dispersion and the stability of Ni particles of the prepared catalysts, and enhances the adsorption of CO2 on the surface of catalysts.The catalytic tests for methane reforming with CO2 to synthesis gas show that the Ni/Al2O3-ZrO2-CeO2 catalysts show excellent activity and stability compared with the Ni/Al2O3 catalyst.The excellent catalytic activity and stability of the Ni/Al2O3-ZrO2-CeO2 are attributed to the highly, uniformly and stably dispersed small metallic Ni particles, the high reducibility of the Ni oxides and the interaction between metallic Ni particles and the composite oxide supports.