Composite materials of catalytically activated porous ceramics with molten salts were proposed for use in solar thermochemical reforming processes of methane as catalyst with high-temperature thermal storage. The high heat capacity and large latent heat (heat of solidification) of the composite molten salt at high temperatures are expected to circumvent the rapid temperature change of the catalyst bed under fluctuation of insolation. The composite catalysts of Ni-activated porous ceramics (mm-sized alumina or zirconia balls) with an alkali-metal chloride or carbonate (NaCl or Na2CO3) were prepared and examined for the activity and stability for CO2 reforming of methane. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.