A series of Ni/SBA-15 (AM) catalysts were prepared by chelating ligand assisted impregnation method. The results showed that the chelating ligand played a positive promoting role for CH4 dry reforming with CO2 over Ni/SBA-15. The electron-pair donor atoms and the high viscosity of chelating agent could inhibit the aggregation of nickel species and contribute to the well-dispersed Ni particles with size of <6 nm. Compared to the Ni/SBA-15 (CM) prepared by conventional impregnation, all the Ni/SBA-15 (AM) exhibited superior catalytic performance, especially the catalyst assisted by ethylenediamine possessed stable activity and the least amount of carbon deposition. (C) 2017 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.