Synthesis, application, and characteristics of mesoporous alumina as a support of promoted Ni-Co bimetallic catalysts in steam reforming of methane

•Co-impregnation technique was applied for synthesizing Ni-Co-Ce/Al catalysts.•Ce enhanced the dispersion of Ni-Co particles on the Al2O3 support.•1Ni-1Co-1Ce/Al catalyst depicted the maximum CH4 conversion of 97.0 % at 700 °C.•Coke deposition was decreased about 25% by utilizing only 1wt.%Ce in Ni-Co/Al.