This work aims to produce nickel catalysts supported on magnesium aluminate (MgAl2O4) doped with Fe or Mn synthesized by the microwave assisted combustion method, evaluating the influence of the addition of chitosan as a chelating agent and the doping of the spinel B site, aiming application in the production of carbon nanotubes from methane cracking. For this, the materials were synthesized via microwave-assisted combustion using urea as the only fuel and with a doping variation of Fe or Mn at the B site of 0, 0.1 and 0.5. The impregnation of the active phase (10% by weight of Ni) was carried out by incipient humidity followed by calcination at 500ºC for 3 hours. The supports were examined by X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) and BET area-specific experiment. The catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and temperature programmed reduction (TPR). XRD showed major peaks at approximately 2θ of 36.8, 44.8 and 65.2º that are characteristic of the spinel structure (MgAl2O4). After impregnation, the XRD shows two main peaks, one at 2θ of 44º and the other at 63º, which are characteristic of NiO. In FTIR, the presence of bands at 472 cm-1 and at 682 cm-1 confirmed that the spinel structure was obtained and that the scheme method developed was efficient. The analysis of the specific area showed that the supports showed a specific area between 16-36 m2/g and a maximum pore volume of 0.0026 cm3/g. The SEM tested that the morphology of the catalysts is modified depending on the doping used. The TPR shows a reduction profile of the catalysts in the range of 250-500ºC. Therefore, the catalysts are expected to perform well for the synthesis of carbon nanotubes.