ZrOx/Ni-MnOx/SiO2 catalyst for CO2 reforming of methane was prepared using impregnation method, and characterized by in situ DRIFTS, XRD, TEM, XPS and TG. Low-temperature activation of both methane and carbon dioxide was achieved over ZrOx/Ni-MnOx/SiO2 catalyst, and the catalytic activity was found to be dependent on the reduction temperature. It was found that after being reduced at 550 degrees C, the ZrOx/Ni-MnOx/SiO2 catalyst showed relative high content of surface Ni species and small particles of Ni species with a rather narrow particle size distribution. The ZrOx/Ni-MnOx/SiO2 catalyst reduced at 550 degrees C showed the highest catalytic activity, with 17.9% and 23.1% initial conversions of CH4 and CO2 at the reaction temperature of 500 degrees C, and the yield of H-2 and CO also reached the maximum value of 9.2% and 14.5%, respectively. In addition to the high catalytic activity, the ZrOx/Ni-MnOx/SiO2 catalyst also showed a quiet good stability at 500 degrees C. The initial and stable yields of H-2 and CO were 1.4% and 2.3% at the reaction temperature of 400 degrees C with the conversion of CH4 and CO2 being 2.2% and 4.9%, respectively. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.