CH4, reaction with

CH4 reactions with CO2 or H2O on group VIII or noble metals (Ru, Rh, Pd, Ir, Pt) [1] form synthesis gas which is the precursor to valuable fuels and chemical compounds, as lirst shown by Fischer and Tropsch [2]. Due to the cost and availability of the nickel, compared to noble metals, Ni catalysts are used industrially. However, Ni-based catalysts tend to form inactive carbon residues that bloek the pores as well as the active sites of catalyst, and whose main activity is die formation of carbon filaments [3]. Therefore, the industrial methane steam reaction is usually performed under an excess of water to maintain the catalyst activity. Another alternative is the modification of the composition of the catalyst (generally Ni/Al203) by addition of a basic compound like MgO [4]. It is well known that the formation of NiO-MgO solid solution is easily favoured by calcining the mixed oxide at high temperatures [5] and much attention was devoted to its specific properties [6]. Parmaliana and al. 

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