Carbon dioxide reforming of methane over Ni-In/SiO2 catalyst without coke formation

•Ni–In/SiO2 catalysts were prepared by deposition-precipitation with urea.•Both metals were in metallic state after reduction at 700°C.•Interaction of the two metals was evidenced by TPR, XPS and electron microscopy techniques (HAADF-STEM, HRTEM and EDX).•The presence of indium in the close vicinity of nickel prevents coke formation.