An idea of combining perovskite and hydrotalcite (HT)-derived oxides is explored and a shell-core perovskite@HT-derived oxide catalyst, i.e. LaNi(Mg, Al)@Mg-Al, is fabricated through the reconstruction of a HT-derived Mg-Al mixed oxide. Experimental results show that the reconstruction of the HT-like structure proceeds rapidly in a Ni2+-La3+ mixed nitrate solution, forming large flake-like sheets on the outer layer of the dipping particle. After calcination at temperatures >= 700 degrees C, perovskite phase with clear boundary is formed as the uniform shell layer of the catalyst. Further investigation confirms that the shell-core catalysts possess excellent activity and stability in ethanol steam reforming reaction. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.