Mesocellular silica foam-based Ni catalysts for dry reforming of CH4 (by CO2)

•Small amount of NH4F added during the mesocellular silica foams synthesis can improve their textural properties.•The catalyst prepared by two-solvent impregnation showed the best catalytic activity in methane dry reforming.•Small nanoparticles with good dispersion and interaction with the supports were obtained using direct synthesis method.•Nanoparticles presented in the frameworks are protected from sintering and probably from carbon deposition.