Synthesis and characterization of Ni/Ce-SiO2 and Co/Ce-TiO2 catalysts for methane decomposition

► Metallic nanocatalysts supported on semiconductor sol-gel matrices were synthesized by sol-gel method. ► A neutral surfactant was added to stabilize the metallic nanocatalysts avoiding their aggregation. ► CeO2 was added in the synthesis to stabilize the active phase and to inhibit the thermal loss of the catalyst surface area and the catalytic activity.