Promoting methane combustion activity and stability by tuning multiple Ni–Si interactions in catalysts

•The precipitation of Ni and hydrolysis of Si was mediated to build Si-modified NiO.•The multiple Ni–Si interactions inhibited the growth and sintering of NiO grains.•Introducing a low content of Si preferentially generated SiO4 groups in NiO lattice.•High content of Si gave rise to nickel silicate on NiO surface besides SiO4 in NiO.•SiO4 in NiO induced active Ni2+ and oxygen species for efficient methane combustion.