A series of xMg/La yCozNi/MSU-S catalysts were prepared by a sol gel method and characterized by means of N-2-physisorption, FT-IR, H-2-TPR, CO2-TPD, H-2-TPD, XRD, HRTEM, TG/DSC and O-2-TPO techniques. The catalytic performance of the catalysts was evaluated for H-2 and syn gas production at different temperatures at atmospheric pressure. The effect of reaction temperature, catalyst composition and performance of the catalyst were investigated during CO2 dry reforming reaction at 700-800 degrees C with GHSV of 2.4 x 10(4) mL/g(-1)h(-1). The results indicated that upon La, Mg and Co promotion, the Ni nanoparticles are highly dispersed on the mesoporous walls of MSU-S via strong interaction between metal ions and the HO-Si-groups of MSU-S. The presence of La2O3 in xLayCozNi/MSU-S results in enhancement of initial catalytic activity as compared to xMgyCozNi/MSU-S. It revealed that 3 La 2Co 7Ni/MSU-S performed the best with highest CH4 and CO2 conversion showing outstanding catalytic activity, greater stability and low coking for 50 h during 75 h time on stream at 750 degrees C. Copyright (C) 2015, Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.