Abstract: Unsupported metal nickel catalysts were prepared by liquid phase reduction method. The catalytic performance of the catalysts for syngas methanation were conducted in an autoclave using decalin as the hydrogen donor solvent at different operation conditions, such as temperature, mol ratio of H₂/CO in feed gas. And the catalyst characterizations were conducted by means of XRD, SEM, H₂-TPR.The results showed that the content of CH₄ in the product gas was 89.39% when 2% catalyst was used at 330 ℃, and the corresponding conversions of CO and H₂ were 94.56% and 92.60%, respectively. When 4% catalyst was used, the CO conversion was further improved to more than 99% while the content of CH₄ in the product gas exceeded 94.26%. The best operation temperature of syngas methanation in liquid phase was 330 ℃and the optimum range of H₂/CO mol ratio in feed was 2.20~2.67.