The NiO/SBA-15 monolith with a three-dimensional (3D) network structure was synthesized by a facile one-pot hydrothermal method for CO2 methanation. The results showed that the net-linked mesoporous framework of SBA-15 was well preserved after incorporation of 15 wt% NiO, and the one-pot prepared NiO/SBA-15-Op material exhibited higher surface area, larger pore volume than the NiO/SBA-15-Im synthesized by traditional impregnation method. In addition, NiO/SBA-15-Op showed higher catalytic activity and anti-sintering property of metallic Ni than NiO/SBA-15-Im for CO2 methanation due to higher Ni dispersion and more Ni particles dispersed in the meso-channels. (C) 2017 Hydrogen Energy'Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.