Catalysts containing NiO/MgO/ZrO2 mixtures were synthesized by the polymerization method in a single step. They were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), temperature programmed reduction (TPR) and physisorption of N-2 (BET) and then tested in the reforming of a model biogas (1.5CH4:1CO(2)) in the presence of air (1.5CH(4) + 1CO(2) + 0.25O(2)) at 750 degrees C for 6h. It was observed that the catalyst Ni20MZ performed better in catalytic processes than the well known catalysts, Ni/ZrO2 and Ni/MgO, synthesized under the same conditions. The formation of solid solutions, MgO-ZrO2 and NiO-MgO, increased the rate of conversion of reactants (CH4 and CO2) into synthesis gas (H-2 + CO). The formation of oxygen vacancies (in samples containing ZrO2 and MgO) seems to promote removal of the coke deposited on the nickel surface. The values of the H-2/CO ratio were generally found to be slightly lower than stoichiometric, owing to the reverse water gas shift reaction occurring in parallel. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.