On the enhanced sulfur and coking tolerance of Ni-Co-rare earth oxide catalysts for the dry reforming of methane

•Sulfur tolerance of Ni-based dry reforming of methane catalysts examined.•Both Ce/Zr and Ce/La oxides with Ni are stable at low sulfur concentrations.•Only Ni-Co supported on Ce/Zr oxide not rapidly deactivated at >20 ppm sulfur.•Ni-Co catalysts also show much lower coking rates in dry reforming.•Improved performance linked to strong Co-Ni and strong metal-oxide interactions.