| Summary: | Zr-modified LaNiO<sub>3</sub> catalysts (LaNi<sub>x</sub>Zr<sub>1−x</sub>O<sub>3</sub>; 0 ≤ x ≤ 1) are synthesized by the sol–gel method. The physio-chemical properties of materials are investigated using different characterization techniques and evaluated for the CO<sub>2</sub> reforming of methane to syngas. Interestingly, the characterization studies revealed the phase transformation from La-Zr pyrochlore to La-Ni perovskite depending on the Ni:Zr ratio in the material. The formation of the pyrochlore phase is observed for high-Zr-containing catalysts, thus leading to the production of bulk NiO. The formation of La-Ni perovskite is observed for high-Ni-containing catalysts and the ZrO<sub>2</sub> acted as a support. The formation of La-Ni perovskite supported on ZrO<sub>2</sub> enhanced the Ni dispersion of the catalysts. The high dispersion of Ni enhanced the catalytic activity, and LaNi<sub>0.8</sub>Zr<sub>0.2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> showed the best performance among all of the studied catalysts in terms of conversions and the H<sub>2</sub>/CO ratio.
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