Abstract: In the presence of P123 surfactant, mesoporous ZrO₂-Al₂O₃ mixed oxides were prepared using inorganic salts as precursors by a bihydrolysis route. The results showed that the mixed oxides bear high surface area and controlling pore structure. Some solid solution can be formed througth the incorporation of zirconium to the alumina framework. The introduction of a proper amount of zirconia to alumina increased the acid sites number and acidic strength of the mixed oxides as compared with pure alumina.  Methane reforming with CO₂ was used to detect the activity and stability of the Ni-based catalysts. The Ni/ZrO₂-Al₂O₃ catalysts exhibit higher anti-carbon capacity than Ni/Al₂O₃, but possess slightly low activity. The improvement of anti-carbon capacity is ascribed to the dispersion of the active component and support effect induced by deficiencies and fine crystal size of the support.

Key words: nickel, zirconia, alumina, mixed oxide, double hydrolysis, mesopore, acidic property, anti-carbon capacity, methane reforming