The catalytic performance of Fe-Ni/PG (PG: palygorskite) catalysts pre-calcined and reduced at 500 degrees C for catalytic decomposition of tar derived through rice hull gasification was investigated. The materials were characterized by using X-ray diffraction, hydrogen temperature reduction, and transmission electron microscopy. The results showed that ferrites with spinel structure ((Fe, Ni)(3)O-4) were formed during preparation of bimetallic systems during calcination and reduction of the precursors (Fe-Ni/PG catalysts) and NiO metal oxide particles were formed over Fe6-Ni9/PG catalyst. The obtained experimental data showed that Fe-Ni/PG catalysts had greater catalytic activity than natural PG. Tar removal using Fe6-Ni9/PG catalyst was as high as Fe10-Ni6/PG catalyst (99.5%). Fe6-Ni9/PG showed greater catalytic activity with greater H-2 yield and showed stronger resistance to carbon deposition, attributed to the presence of NiO nanoparticles. Thus, the addition of nickel and iron oxides played an important role in catalytic cracking of rice hull biomass tar. (c) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.