Melt impregnation to obtain NiO–MgO–ZrO2 catalysts with 2–35 Ni and Mg.
Ni and Mg are homogeneously distributed as oxides on the zirconia.
Highly dispersed Ni0 and a NiO–MgO solid solution are present on the support.
Coking includes growth of MWCNT and graphitic carbon, encapsulating Ni0 particles.