The invention provides a controlled-release magnetic ZnAlCe hydrotalcite loaded 2-mercaptobenzothiazole corrosion inhibitor and a preparation method thereof. With FeCl3.6H2O, crystalline sodium acetate, ethylene glycol, Zn(NO3)2.6H2O, Al(NO3)3.9H2O, Ce(NO3)3.9H2O, 2-mercaptobenzothiazole, NaOH and methyl alcohol as raw materials, an MBT-intercalated magnetic ZnAlCe hydrotalcite (Fe3O4@ZnAlCe-MBT LDH) corrosion inhibitor material is prepared through an ion exchange method. Through the nanocontainer effect of hydrotalcite and superparamagnetism of Fe3O4, by means of the ion exchange method, a 2-mercaptobenzothiazole-intercalated magnetic ZnAlCe hydrotalcite corrosion inhibitor material is synthesized; and meanwhile, by means of an applied magnetic field, the release behavior of the corrosioninhibitor is controlled, thereby improving the corrosion resistance of carbon steel and prolonging the service life of the carbon steel in a seawater cycle cooling system through the magnetic-controlled release behavior of the corrosion inhibitor.