A 20 wt% Ni/bentonite catalyst was prepared by a solution combustion synthesis (SCS), which exhibited higher activity for the CO2 methanation than that of an impregnation method (IPM), and the catalyst prepared by SCS showed a CO2 conversion of 85% and a CH4 selectivity of 100% at 300 degrees C, atmospheric pressure, and 3600 ml . (g cat)(-1). h (-1), and the catalyst exhibited stable within a 110-h reaction. The results showed higher metallic Ni dispersion, smaller Ni particle size, larger specific surface area and lower reduction temperature in the Ni/bentonite prepared by SCS than that of IPM. And the Ni/bentonite prepared by the SCS moderated the interaction between NiO and bentonite. (C) 2018 The Chemical Industry and Engineering Society of China, and Chemical Industry Press. All rights reserved.