Preparation of layered double hydroxides and their applications as additives in polymers, as precursors to magnetic materials and in biology and medicine.

In recent years layered double hydroxides (LDHs), also known as hydrotalcite-like materials, have attracted considerable interest from both industry and academia. In this article, we discuss methods of preparing LDHs with an emphasis on the way in which particle size and morphology can be controlled with regard to specific target applications; scale-up of one such preparation procedure is also described. In addition, we review selected applications of LDHs developed by our own and other laboratories.