Mesoporous silica MCM-41 supported Ni-based catalysts were prepared by glucose (Glu) and beta-cyclodextrin (beta CD) modified impregnation method, respectively. The physicochemical properties of the catalysts (Ni/MCM-41-beta CD and Ni/MCM-41-Glu) were characterized with BET, XRD, H-2-TPR and TEM techniques, and their catalytic performance in CO2 reforming of methane to syngas was evaluated. The results revealed that the prepared catalysts remained the ordered mesoporous structures of MCM-41, and no obvious NiO particles could be viewed on catalysts prepared with beta-cyclodextrin or glucose modified method. In contrast, on the catalyst prepared with the conventional impregnation method (Ni/MCM-41), large NiO particles could be observed. In the reaction of CO2 reforming of methane to syngas, compared with Ni/MCM-41, Ni/MCM-41-beta CD and Ni/MCM-41-Glu exhibited higher catalytic activities and better catalytic stabilities. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.