Ni-MgO-Al2O3 materials of different Ni/Mg ratios were prepared by the co-precipitation method. Acid-base properties of the samples after calcination and reduction were examined by the temperature programmed desorption of ammonia and carbon dioxide. Thermal treatment of the materials in air at 400 degrees C led to the formation of hydrotalcite-like phases. The increase of Ni/Mg ratio decreased the stability of the hydrotalcite structure. The number and the strength of acid and base sites were related to the Ni/Mg ratio and thermal treatment conditions of materials. It was found that the replacement of Ni with Mg decreased the acidity and increased basicity of the surface of oxide materials. Thermal treatment of the samples in hydrogen led to the structural changes. The presence of magnesia improved thermal stability. The ratio of the number of acid to base sites in the reduced samples gradually increased with the increase of magnesia content. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.