Monometallic 5 wt% Ni containing catalysts were prepared by a two-solvent (cyclohexane/water) deposition method using cheap and widely available natural diatomites (Ni/AW2 and Ni/MN3) as supports. The fresh samples were characterized by SEM, EDX microanalysis, N-2 adsorption desorption isotherms, XRD and tested after reduction (in hydrogen) in dry reforming of methane. Spent catalysts were further characterized by TPH coupled with mass spectrometry. Although slightly less active than a reference Ni/Aerosil (Ni/SiO2) catalyst prepared in similar conditions, the Ni/diatomites catalysts showed good activity with 90% methane conversion reached on Ni/MN3 at 800 degrees C and a high selectivity towards dry reforming reaction (H-2:CO molar ratio around unity over the entire temperature range). The catalysts were also relatively stable during catalytic measurements conducted at 650 degrees C for 12 h. In addition, depending on the nature of the diatomite and on the conditions of thermal activation, carbon deposits with lower toxicity (easier to remove by reactivation) than those formed on the Ni/Aerosil were obtained. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.