Hierarchical structures based on functionalized magnetic cores and layered double-hydroxide shells: concept, controlled synthesis, and applications.

The combination of magnetic particles and layered double hydroxide (LDHs) materials leads to the formation of hierarchical composites that can take full advantages of each component; this is an effective approach for achieving multifunctional materials with intriguing properties. This Concept article summarizes several important strategies for the fabrication of magnetic-core/LDH-shell hierarchical nanocomposites, including direct coprecipitation, layer-by-layer assembly, and in situ growth methods. The obtained nanocomposites exhibit excellent performance as multifunctional materials for promising applications in targeted drug delivery, efficient separation, and catalysis. The fabrication and application of magnetic-core/LDH-shell nanocomposite materials represent a new direction in the development of LDH-based multifunctional materials, which will contribute to the progress of chemistry and material science.