The reactivity of Ni-based oxygen carrier (OC) was studied by CH4 pulse test. The MgAl2O4 spinel was synthesized by microwave assisted combustion method and Ni and Fe were added by wet impregnation method. The results of CH4 pulse test revealed that the OCs were more reactive for partial oxidation reaction. The XRD analysis of OCs after the test confirms the presence of NiO and MgAL(2)O(4) without the secondary phases like NiAL(2)O(4) and FeAl2O4. Among the OCs, Ni15Fe2MA was the most reactive producing the highest amounts of H-2 and exhibiting good re-oxidation capacity, illustrating its potential for use in Chemical Looping Reforming (CLR). The high reactivity is associated to a change on the NiO-support interaction. (C) 2017 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.