Ni-doped ceria nanorods for the WGS reaction: Effect of Ni distribution in methane suppression

•Ni-doped CeO2 nanorods system exhibits great activity and selectivity toward WGS reaction.•Structure provides Niδ+(δ ≤ 2) into the (110) reactive ceria surface and well-dispersed Ni species interacting with the former.•The Ni distribution in the system enables the formation of formate intermediate species suppressing the non-desirable methanation route.