Mesoporous Ni-CaO-ZrO2 nanocomposites with high thermal stability were designed and employed in the CO2/CH4 reforming. The nanocomposites with appropriate Ni/Ca/Zr molar ratios exhibited excellent activity and prominent coking resistivity. The Ni crystallites were effectively controlled under the critical size for coke formation in such nanocomposites. It was found that low Ni content resulted in high metal dispersion and good catalytic performance. Moreover, the basicity of the matrices improved the chemisorption of CO, and promoted the gasification of deposited coke on the catalyst. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.