LaNiO3 perovskite was modified by partial substitution of nickel by cobalt in order to increase the stability and resistance to carbon deposition during the methane CO2 reforming. The results showed that a suitable combination of precipitation and calcination steps resulted in oxides with the desired structure and with important properties for application in heterogeneous catalysis. The partial substitution of Ni by Co resulted in lower rates of conversion of both the reactants, but the catalyst stability was highly increased. The LaNi0.3Co0.7O3 catalyst, calcined at 800 ºC, was the most active under the reaction conditions.

Mixed metal oxides with perovskite-type structure show a great potential to be used in catalysis, electrocatalysis and electronic ceramics. Perovskites oxides catalysts with the composition LaNiO3, LaNi(1-x)Fe xO3 and LaNi(1-x)Co xO3 (x = 0.4 and 0.7) have been synthesized by the precipitation method to be used in the methane reforming to produce hydrogen and synthesis gas. The compounds were characterized by X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis, inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy, surface area measurements, energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry coupled to scanning electron microscopy and temperature programmed reduction. The results showed that a suitable combination of the preparation method with calcination variables (time and temperature) could result in oxides with the desired structure and with important properties at the application point of view in heterogeneous catalysis.