The Co2.5Mg0.5Al1-x%Cex%O hydrotalcite-derived catalysts (CMACex) with different Ce/AI atomic ratios were synthesized by co-precipitation, which simultaneously possess multiple properties for soot combustion, lean-burn NOx storage and simultaneous NOx-soot removal. The techniques including XRD, EXAFS, BET, H-2-TPR, O-2-TPD and in-situ DRIFTS were used for catalyst characterization. It is found that Ce-substituted catalysts are much more active than Ce-free one for soot combustion. NOx storage and simultaneous NOx-soot removal. Among the catalysts containing Ce. CMACe8 exhibits the highest performance, showing the lowest temperature of 384 degrees C for the maximal soot oxidation rate (T-m), the largest NOx storage capacity (336 mu mol g(-1)), and the largest NOx reduction percentage of 15.4%. Compared with Ce-free sample. Ce-substitution increases the specific surface area, the redox properties and the amount of surface lattice oxygen species of the catalyst. The optimal Ce-substitution amount in Co2.5Mg0.5Al1-x%Cex%O is x=8. In-situ DRIFTS results reveal that NO is readily oxidized to NO2 and stored as nitrates over Ce-substituted catalysts, which are very reactive intermediates for simultaneous NOx-soot removal. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.