An active and tolerant Ni based catalyst for methane steam reforming in direct internal reforming molten carbonate fuel cells (DIR MCFCs) was developed Deactivation of reforming catalysts by alkali metals from the electrolyte composed of Li(2)CO(3) and K(2)CO(3) is one of the mayor obstacles to be overcome in commercialization of DIR MCFCs Newly developed Ni/MgSiO(3) and Ni/Mg(2)SiO(4) reforming catalysts show activities of ca 80% methane conversion Subsequent to electrolyte addition to the catalyst however the activity of Ni/Mg(2)SiO(4) decreases to ca 50% of its initial value whereas Ni/MgSiO(3) catalyst retains its initial activity Results obtained from temperature programmed reduction and X ray photoelectron spectroscopy identify unreduced Ni(3+) as a decisive factor in keeping catalytic activity from the electrolyte (C) 2010 Professor T Nejat Veziroglu Published by Elsevier Ltd All rights reserved