The highly dispersed mNi/xLa-Si catalysts with varied weight percentages of Ni and La were synthesized via one-pot sol-gel process and subsequently applied to combined carbon dioxide and steam reforming of methane (CSDRM) for syngas production. The addition of La improved the catalytic activity and stability as well as the coke resistance of the mNi/ xLa-Si catalysts. The effects of preparation routes, Ni contents and CO2/steam (C/S) ratios on the performances of the Ni/La-Si catalysts were studied in detail for the CSDRM. The 17.5Ni/3.0La-Si catalyst synthesized with the assistance of poly (ethylene glycol) and ethylene glycol exhibited the most excellent catalytic activity, stability and coke resistance. In addition, the H-2/CO ratios in the product gas could be tuned by changing the C/S ratios in the feed. When the C/S ratio was 0.5, the H-2/CO ratio of about 2 was achieved for the 17.5Ni/ 3.0La-Si catalyst. (C) 2019 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.