Intercalation chemistry of layered double hydroxides: recent developments and applications

Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) have been investigated for many years as host materials for a range of anion exchange intercalation reactions. In this role they have been used extensively as ion-exchange materials, catalysts, sorbents and halogen absorbers. More recently, there have been a tremendous number of new developments using these materials to store and deliver biologically active materials in vivo. Significant advances have been made recently on the characterisation of these materials, including structural studies and on the mechanism of intercalation using in situ techniques.