MgO shell-coated Ni catalysts with two different shell thicknesses were fabricated using atomic layer deposition (ALD).

MgO on Ni catalysts enhanced catalytic performance in terms of activity as well as stability for CRM reaction, compared to the uncoated catalysts.

The superior catalytic performance was attributed to increasing strength and amount of basic sites and sinter-resistance by MgO shell.

Ni ensemble for graphitic carbon deposition was destroyed by MgO shell, resulting in improvement of catalytic durability for the CRM reaction.