Spinel nickel ferrite nanoparticles (NiFe2O4 NPs) embedded in silica (NiFe2O4#SiO2) was prepared to enhance the reaction performance of the dry reforming of methane in a coaxial dielectric barrier discharge reactor. NiFe2O4 NPs of around 10 nm were effectively embedded in porous SiO2 NPs (similar to 100 nm in diameter). Compared to the supported Ni-based catalysts (Ni/gamma-Al2O3, Ni-Fe/gamma-Al2O3, Ni-Fe/SiO2, and NiFe2O4), the NiFe2O4#SiO2 catalyst placed at the discharge zone exhibited excellent catalytic performance and high resistance to carbon formation during dry reforming under ambient conditions without the involvement of extra heat. The synergetic effect between the non-thermal plasma and the NiFe2O4#SiO2 catalyst favored the conversion of CH4 and CO2 into syngas. The results indicated that the special structure of the as-synthesized NiFe2O4#SiO2 catalyst was capable of restraining the aggregation of Ni Fe alloy and suppressing the carbon formation in the reforming process. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.