In this study we report a simple preparation technique for Ni/gamma-Al2O3 catalysts for the dry reforming of methane (DRM) at 800 degrees C to produce CO and H-2 (synthesis gas). Hard-templating with low and high surface area activated carbon was applied. The produced synthesis gas exhibited a low product ratio of H-2: CO [0.04-0.12], due to reverse water-gas shift. After 75 h time on stream (TOS) minimal deactivation of the catalyst could be observed. A rather unusual activity evolution was found involving a sequence of minimum-maximum-plateau. A scheme was suggested, explaining the activity evolution based on the Ni-nanoparticle positioning from being bare or encapsulated by Al2O3. The Al2O3 shell cracks and undergoes restructuring during reaction making more active sites available for the reaction. Superior metal dispersion was achieved with average nickel nanoparticle size at 4.9 +/- 1.3 nm. The sintering mechanism was also investigated. Surprisingly, hollow nickel nanoparticles were observed at 25 h TOS due to the nanoscale Kirkendall effect. This diffusion phenomenon between the core, Ni-0, and the outer shell, NiO, (Ni2+) lead to pronounced structural and morphological changes of the catalyst. (C) 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.