A mesoporous-type catalytic support was synthesized through the modification of a smectite with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and microwaves. Texture and micro-morphology of the support was determined. Several techniques were employed in order to describe the chemical environment of active species on the surface. Ni-0 particle sizes were dependent on the structural site of reducible species. High stable Ni-Ce catalysts (calcined at 800 A degrees C) were evaluated in the CO2 reforming of methane reaction at 700 A degrees C (WHSV = 96 L g(-1) h(-1), without dilution gas and pre-reduction). The catalysts have presented CH4 conversions between 40 and 65%, CO2 conversion between 35 and 65% and H-2/CO ratios between 0.2 and 0.4.