Ni−La catalyst supported on SiO 2 (Ni−La/SiO 2 ) synthesized using in situ glycine−nitrate combustion was analyzed for catalyst dispersion at various catalyst-to-support ratios and support surface areas. Catalytic activity of the catalyst was assessed for methane cracking. The catalyst with higher support loading had a better catalyst dispersion. The use of a support with high surface area also improved catalyst dispersion. Ni−La/SiO 2 B synthesized using a support with high surface area have a higher catalyst dispersion than that of Ni−La/SiO 2 A with a support of low surface area. As a result, Ni−La/SiO 2 B had a better methane conversion (the maximum of ∼60%) than that of Ni−La/SiO 2 A (∼40%) and offered a higher H 2 yield. Moreover, Ni−La/SiO 2 B was found to be active for carbon formation. Nevertheless, the catalyst remained catalytically active for methane cracking without deactivation.