An investigation into the catalytic autothermal reforming (ATR) of a mixture of n-octane and naphthalene (6 wt %), designed as a surrogate gasoline, is undertaken. Carbon deposition on the metallic Ni catalyst has been aware of the main hurdle for the catalytic reforming of hydrocarbons especially those with high carbon numbers. This work develops Ni x P y crystallites on a CeO 2 powder support by electroless nickel plating and calcination. The catalyst exhibits nil coking extent after reforming the surrogate fuel. The Ni x P y crystallites are determined by XRD and its Ni-P bonding is confirmed by XPS, where the Ni carries slightly higher negative charge than the Ni 0 as usually observed. The XPS investigation also divulges the presence of Ce 3þ species in the CeO 2 support on which the Ni x P y crystallites are distributed, indicating that the support contains oxygen vacancies. These two subtle structural differences are proposed to provide the catalyst with resistance to coking.