A highly active and stable bimetallic Ni-Mo2C catalyst for a partial oxidation of jet fuel

•Ni-Mo2C showed 90% conversion and 56% H2 yield over 24 h for POX of n-dodecane.•Ni promotes the decomposition of hydrocarbons to increase the surface carbons.•Ni-Mo2C exhibits excellent stability compared to samples with pure Mo2C.•Ni-Mo2C follows the “catalytic oxidation and re-carburization cycle.•NiMoO4 can be rapidly carburized in-situ to Ni-Mo2C in n-dodecane/air mixture.