Facile fabrication of a highly active shell–core LaNi(Mg, Al)O3@Mg–Al catalyst for ethanol steam reforming

•The reconstruction of a hydrotalcite-derived oxide was applied.•A shell–core perovskite@hydrotalcite-derived oxide catalyst was prepared.•Perovskite phase can be observed on the sample calcined at temperatures ≥700 °C.•Excellent reactivities were achieved over the shell–core catalysts.

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 °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.

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