Xerogel and aerogel catalysts have been prepared via a sol-gel process followed by conventional drying and supercritical drying, respectively. The catalysts were characterized by means of XRD, XPS, H-2-TPR, TPD, TEM, TGA and N-2 adsorption-desorption. The catalytic performance of the catalysts in CH4 reforming with CO2 was evaluated. The results indicate that the method for the preparation of the aerogel leads to higher specific surface area, larger pore size, lower bulk density, higher thermal stability, and higher dispersivity and homogeneity of nickel species than that of the xerogel. The acrogel catalyst shows high catalytic activity, good resistance to sintering at high reaction temperature and prolonged stability. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.