Synthesis and characterization of new Mg(2)Al-paratungstate layered double hydroxides

Layered double hydroxides (LDHs, or hydrotalcites) with Mg(2+) and Al(3+) cations in the mixed metal hydroxide layer and paratungstate anions in the interlayer have been prepared. Different methods have been followed: anion exchange with Mg,Al LDHs originally containing nitrate or adipate, reconstruction of the LDH structure from a mildly calcined Mg(2)Al-CO(3) LDH, and coprecipitation. In all cases, the tungsten precursor salt was (NH(4))(10)H(2)W(12)O(42). The prepared solids have been characterized by elemental chemical analysis, powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), FT-IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric (TG) and differential thermal (DTA) analyses, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with EDX (energy-dispersive X-ray analysis), and nitrogen adsorption at -196 degrees C for surface area and surface texture. Most of the synthesis methods used, especially anion exchange starting from a Mg(2)Al-NO(3) precursor at low temperature and short reaction times, lead to formation of a hydrotalcite with a gallery height of 9.8 A; increasing the reaction temperature to 70-100 degrees C and maintaining short contact times leads to a solid with a gallery height of 7.8 A. Both phases have been identified as a result of the intercalation of W(7)O(24)(6)(-) species in different orientations in the interlayer space. If the time of synthesis or the temperature is increased, a more stable phase, with a gallery height of 5.2 A corresponding to a solid with intercalated W(7)O(24)(6)(-), is formed, probably with grafting of the interlayer anion on the brucite-like layers. All systems are microporous. Calcination at 300 degrees C leads to amorphous species, and crystallized MgWO(4) is observed at 700 degrees C.     

Layered Double Hydroxides Intercalated by Polyoxometalate Anions with Keggin (alpha-H(2)W(12)O(40)(6)(-)), Dawson (alpha-P(2)W(18)O(62)(6)(-)), and Finke (Co(4)(H(2)O)(2)(PW(9)O(34))(2)(10)(-)) Structures

The pillaring of Mg(3)Al layered double hydroxides (LDHs) by the title polyoxometalates (POMs) was accomplished by ion exchange reaction of the LDH-hydroxide and -adipate precursors with the POM anion at ambient or refluxing temperatures. The structural, thermal and textural properties of the LDH-POM intercalates were elucidated based on XRD, FTIR, TEM, EDS, and N(2) adsorption-desorption studies. A gallery height of approximately 10 ? was observed for the LDH intercalated by the symmetrical Keggin POM, whereas two different gallery heights were found for the cylindrical Dawson (14.5 and 12.8 ?) and Finke (13.3 and 12.6 ?) anions, depending on the preparation temperature. The differences in POM orientations were rationalized in terms of different electrostatic and hydrogen-bonding interactions between the POM pillars and the LDH layers. Upon thermal treatment at >/=100 degrees C, the intercalated Dawson and Finke POM ions exhibited only one gallery orientation, regardless of synthesis conditions. The crystalline microporous structures were retained upon heating each LDH-POM intercalate in N(2) to 200 degrees C. Pillaring in all cases was accompanied by the formation of a poorly ordered Mg(2+)/Al(3+) salt impurity that formed on the external surfaces of the LDH crystals.     

Adsorption of Cr(VI) and Se(IV) from their aqueous solutions onto Zr4+-substituted ZnAl/MgAl-layered double hydroxides: effect of Zr4+ substitution in the layer

Hydrotalcite-like compounds (layered double hydroxides, LDHs) containing varying amounts of Al(3+), Zr(4+), and Zn(2+) or Mg(2+) in the metal hydroxide layer have been synthesized and characterized by various physicochemical methods. The adsorption behavior of uncalcined (as-synthesized) and calcined LDHs have been investigated for Cr(2)O(7)(2-) and SeO(3)(2-). The mixed oxides, obtained on calcination at 450 degrees C, exhibit high adsorption capacities for Cr(2)O(7)(2-) (1.6-2.7 meq/g) and SeO(3)(2-) (1.1-1.5 meq/g), where adsorption occurs through rehydration. Substitution of Zr(4+) in the LDHs, for either M(2+) or Al(3+) ions, increases the adsorption capacity up to 20%, thus providing an alternative way to enhance the adsorption capacity of this type of material. The high adsorption capacity of these materials could be successfully used for removal of undesirable anions from water and also for synthesis of intercalated materials with tailored acidobasicity.     

Acid and redox properties of mixed oxides prepared by calcination of chromate-containing layered double hydroxides

Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) with Mg and Al in the layers and carbonate, nitrate or chloride in the interlayer, or with Zn and Al in the layers and chloride in the interlayer, have been prepared by coprecipitation, and have been used as precursors to prepare chromate-containing LDHs. All these systems, as well as those obtained upon their calcination up to 800 °C, have been characterised by powder X-ray diffraction, FT-IR and vis-UV spectroscopies, temperature-programmed reduction (TPR), nitrogen adsorption at −196 °C for surface texture and porosity assessment, and FT-IR monitoring of pyridine adsorption for surface acidity determination. The results obtained show that the crystallinity of the chromate-containing LDH depends on the precursor used. The layered structure of the Mg, Al systems is stabilised up to 400 °C upon incorporation of chromate; however, the Zn,Al-chromate samples collapse between 200 and 300 °C, with simultaneous formation of ZnO. Calcination of the samples above 400 °C gives rise to a reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III), as concluded from vis-UV spectroscopic studies. The TPR profiles show that chromate in ZnAl hydrotalcite is more easily reduced than that incorporated in the magnesium ones. Moderately strong surface Lewis acid sites exist in all samples calcined below 500 °C.     

Removal of Naphthol Green B from Aqueous Solution by Calcined Layered Double Hydroxides:Adsorption Property and Mechanism Studies

The adsorption of naphthol green B (NGB) by Mg/Al‐LDO (layered double oxides) with a Mg/Al molar ratio of 3:1 was investigated in a batch mode. Our study indicates that the maximum capacity of NGB adsorption at equilibrium is 193.4 mg and the percentage of absorption is 96.7%, with an adsorbent dose of 1.0 g/L under the following condition: 200 mg/L NGB concentration, temperature 298 K, pH 10.0 and an equilibrium time of 80 min. Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption models were used for fitting the isotherms, and the thermodynamic parameters have been calculated, which showed that the adsorption process was spontaneous and exothermic in nature. In the light of so called "memory effect", the Mg/Al‐LDO was found to recover their original layered structure after adsorption, and part of NGB ions intercalated into the interlayer of LDH (layered double hydroxides), which has been supported by XRD and FTIR. In addition, the competitive anions for adsorption and the regeneration of Mg/Al‐LDO have also been investigated.     

微波法合成乙二醇插层镍铝层状双金属氢氧化物

乙二醇(EG)插层层状双金属氢氧化物(LDH)可作为层间催化反应器,用于原油中环烷酸与EG的酯化脱酸反应,但其合成过程需要较长时间。 以硝酸根型镍铝LDH为前体,在KOH促进下,采用微波辅助的离子交换法合成EG插层LDH,省时节能,提高效率。 考察了微波时间、微波温度和微波功率对EG插层LDH结构的影响。 并用XRD、FT-IR和TG-DSC等比较了微波法和常规方法合成的EG插层LDH的性质。 结果表明,微波辐射能提供高能量,促进待交换阴离子向层间的扩散,并减弱层板与层间原有阴离子间的作用力,在微波温度为120 ℃,微波时间为10 min和微波功率550 W的条件下,即可得到结晶度高的EG插层LDH。 微波法合成的EG插层LDH与常规方法合成的具有相似的性质和更高的结晶度,而合成时间可由12 h大幅缩短至10 min。     

Hydration, swelling, interlayer structure, and hydrogen bonding in organolayered double hydroxides: insights from molecular dynamics simulation of citrate-intercalated hydrotalcite

Molecular dynamics (MD) simulation of the Mg/Al (3:1) layered double hydroxide (LDH), hydrotalcite (HT), containing citrate, C6H5O7(3-), as the charge balancing interlayer anion provides new molecular scale insight into the interlayer structure, hydrogen bonding, and energetics of the hydration and consequent swelling of LDH compounds containing organic and biomolecules. Citrate-HT exhibits affinity for water up to very high hydration levels, in contrast to the preferred low hydration states of most LDHs intercalated with small, inorganic anions. This result is consistent with the recent experimental observation of the delamination of lactate-HT. The high water affinity is rationalized in terms of the preference of citrate ion for hydrogen bonds (H-bonds) donated from water molecules rather than from the hydroxyl groups of the metal hydroxide layer and the need to develop an integrated interlayer H-bond network among the citrate ions, water, and -OH groups of the hydroxide layers. The changes in the orientation of citrate molecules with progressive hydration are also intimately related to its preference to accept hydrogen bonds from water.     

Anion exchange reaction potentials as approximate estimates of the relative thermodynamic stabilities of Mg/Al layered double hydroxides containing different anions

Coatings of hydrotalcite-like nitrate-intercalated Mg/Al layered double hydroxides are electrochemically deposited on a Pt electrode by electrogeneration of base by reduction of a mixed metal nitrate aqueous solution. As-prepared coatings are stable to workup and function as rugged electrodes. The voltammetric response generated by anion exchange of intercalated nitrate for dissolved anions from solution under equilibrium conditions is employed to estimate the thermodynamic stabilities of the Mg/Al layered double hydroxides comprising different anions relative to the nitrate-containing phase. Among monovalent anions, the most stable is the fluoride-containing LDH (ΔG° = -48.7 kJ mol(-1)) relative to the nitrate-containing LDH. The stability in aqueous phase decreases as F(-) > Cl(-) > Br(-) > NO(2)(-) > NO(3)(-), whereas, among divalent anions, SO(4)(2-) (ΔG° = -8.7 kJ mol(-1)) > CO(3)(2-) (ΔG° = 14.3 kJ mol(-1)). The results of monovalent ions match well with the Miyata series, whereas the divalent anion series is at variance with the commonly held belief that carbonate-LDHs are more stable than sulfate-LDHs.     

Decarbonation of MgAl-LDHs (layered double hydroxides) using acetate-buffer/NaCl mixed solution

By using acetate-buffer (sodium acetate and acetic acid)/NaCl mixed solutions, the deintercalation of carbonate ions (CO(2-)3) was conducted on MgAl--LDHs at different Mg/Al ratios-LDH2 (LDH with Mg/Al approximately 2) and LDH3 (LDH with Mg/Al approximately 3). When only an acetate-buffer solution was used, decarbonation did not take place even if the buffer solution was made acidic enough to dissolve LDH itself; however, the addition of NaCl to the buffer solution caused deintercalation of the carbonate ions from the MgAl-LDHs and the reaction was conducted without any morphological and weight change at 25 degrees C. Under the optimum conditions, full decarbonation was attained for the two MgAl-LDHs in minutes, and the obtained LDHs contained Cl(-) in the interlayer space without incorporation of any acetate anions due to their extremely low anion selectivity of acetate ion. The allowable range for the concentration of the decarbonation solution is wide, and the change in pH due to the decarbonation reaction is slight because of the buffering effect. The decarbonation was affected by the Mg/Al ratio of the LDH; i.e., the present LDH2 was slightly more difficult to decarbonate than LDH3, probably due to the higher layer-charge density of LDH2.     

Benzocarbazole anions intercalated layered double hydroxide and its tunable fluorescence

Luminescent benzocarbazole anions (BCZC) intercalated into the interlayer region of Mg-Al-layered double hydroxides (BCZC/LDH) with different layered charge densities (LCD) were prepared. The structure and chemical composition of the composites were characterized by X-ray diffraction, elemental analysis, thermogravimetry and differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA), infrared spectra (FT-IR), UV-vis absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy. The photoemission behavior of BCZC in the LDH matrix with high (Mg/Al ratio = 1.801) and low (Mg/Al ratio = 3.132) LCD is similar to that of BCZC solid and aqueous solution states respectively, indicating that the luminescence performances of the intercalated dye anions can be tuned by adjusting the LCD of the LDH layer. Moreover, the thermal stability and stacking order of BCZC are largely improved upon intercalation, and the BCZC/LDH thin film exhibits well polarized luminescence with the luminescent anisotropy of 0.15-0.20. In addition, molecular dynamics (MD) simulation was employed to calculate the basal spacing and molecular arrangement of the intercalated BCZC within the LDH matrix. The simulation results show that the distribution of BCZC anions is much broader in the gallery of Mg-Al-LDH with high LCD, while BCZC anions exhibit a more ordered arrangement in LDH with low LCD. Furthermore, the radial distribution functions of interlayer water molecules were also studied. Based on the combination of experiment and theoretical simulation, this work provides a detailed understanding of the tunable photoluminescence, orientation and diffusion behavior of the luminescent molecules confined within the gallery of a 2D inorganic matrix.     

First hydrotalcite-like sulfonate coordination network incorporating robust cationic layers and flexible interlayer interactions

In this paper, a novel coordination network of D,L-homocysteic acid with strontium chloride is reported. This compound exhibits an infinite microporous multilayered structure, describable as one-dimensional coordination-based microtubes cross-linking into cationic layers. Chloride anions are intercalated between layers to neutralize the charge, and the layers further pack into a three-dimensional solid via electrostatic interactions and hydrogen bonding. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), variable-temperature Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) are presented to extensively study the structure. Results show that the compound is stable up to 326 degrees C. Below this temperature, the layered structure is sustained in the process of the reversible loss/gain of coordinated water, confirming that the network involves a robust coordination-based cationic layer framework but rather flexible interlayer interactions. This compound and its analogies are expected to have potential applications in anion exchange and gas storage.     

Preparation of Mg–Al layered double hydroxides intercalated with alkyl sulfates and investigation of their capacity to take up N,N-dimethylaniline from aqueous solutions

This study examined the effect of the interlayer spacing of a Mg–Al layered double hydroxide (Mg–Al LDH) on the ability of the Mg–Al LDH to take up a nonionic organic material. Mg–Al LDHs, intercalated with 1-propanesulfonate (PS^?), 1-hexanesulfonate (HS^?), and 1-dodecanesulfonate (DS^?), were prepared by coprecipitation, yielding PS·Mg–Al LDH, HS·Mg–Al LDH, and DS·Mg–Al LDH, respectively. The increase in the alkyl chain lengths of the Mg–Al LDHs (PS^? < HS^? < DS^?) resulted in the perpendicular orientation of the organic acid anions in the interlayer of Mg–Al LDH, which in turn resulted in more organic acid anions being accommodated in the interlayer space. An organic acid anion with a large molecular length was more easily intercalated in the interlayer of Mg–Al LDH than one with a small molecular length. This was attributed to the hydrophobic interaction between the alkyl chains, affecting the intercalation of the organic acid anions. The uptake of N,N-dimethylaniline (DMA) by Mg–Al LDHs increased in the order PS·Mg–Al LDH < HS·Mg–Al LDH < DS·Mg–Al LDH. The uptake was attributed to the hydrophobic interactions between DMA and the intercalated PS^?, HS^?, and DS^?. Thus, Mg–Al LDH, which has a lot of large interlayer spacings when intercalated with organic acid anions, can take up a large number of DMA molecules from an aqueous solution.     

Molecular modeling of hydrotalcite structure intercalated with transition metal oxide anions: CrO4(2-) and VO4(3-)

Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations are used to study the interlayer structure, hydrogen bonding, and energetics of hydration of Mg/Al (2:1 and 4:1) layered double hydroxide (LDH) or hydrotalcite (HT) intercalated with oxymetal anions, CrO(4)(2-), and VO(4)(3-). The ab initio forcefield COMPASS is employed for the simulations. The charge on the oxymetal anions is determined by quantum mechanical density functional theory. The structural behavior of the oxymetal anions in LDH directly relates to the energetic relationships, with electrostatic and H-bonding interactions between the anions, hydroxide sites of the metal hydroxide layers, and the interlayer water molecules. Distinct minima in the hydration energy indicate the presence of energetically well-defined structural states with specific water content. The experimentally identified variability in the retention of the CrO(4)(2-) and VO(4)(3-) is well reflected in the calculations and self-diffusion coefficients obtained from the simulations give insight into the mobility of the intercalated species.     

Surface-charging behavior of Zn-Cr layered double hydroxide

A Zn-Cr layered double hydroxide (LDH) having the formula Zn(2)Cr(OH)(6)Cl(0.7)(CO(3))(0.15)2.1H(2)O was synthesized and characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, acid-base potentiometric titration, mass titration, electrophoretic mobility, and modeling of the electrical double layer. Adsorption of alizarin was also performed in order to show some particular features of the HDL. Net hydroxyl adsorption, which increases with increasing pH and decreasing supporting electrolyte concentration, takes place above pH 5. The electrophoretic mobility of the particles was always positive and it decreased when the pH was higher than 9. An isoelectric point of 12 could be estimated by extrapolating the data. The modified MUSIC model was used to estimate deprotonation constants of surface groups and different adsorption models were compared. Good fit of hydroxyl adsorption and electrophoresis could be achieved by considering both OH(-)/Cl(-) exchange at structural sites and proton desorption from surface hydroxyl groups. The modeling, in agreement with alizarin adsorption, indicates that most of the structural positive charge of the LDH is screened at the surface by exchanged anions and negatively charged surface groups. It also suggests that only structural charge sites initially neutralized by chloride ions are active for anion exchange. The remaining sites are blocked by carbonate and do not participate in the exchange.     

Conservation of order, disorder, and "crystallinity" during anion-exchange reactions among layered double hydroxides (LDHs) of Zn with Al

Carbonate and chloride ions mediate an ordered stacking of metal hydroxide slabs to yield ordered layered double hydroxides (LDHs) of Zn with Al, by virtue of their ability to occupy crystallographically well-defined interlayer sites. Other anions such as ClO(4)- (T(d)), BrO(3)- (C(3v)), and NO(3)- (coordination symmetry C(2v)) whose symmetry does not match the symmetry of the interlayer sites (D(3h) or O(h)) introduce a significant number of stacking faults, leading to turbostratic disorder. SO(4)(2-) ions (coordination symmetry C(3v)) alter the long-range stacking of the metal hydroxide slabs to nucleate a different polytype. The degree of disorder is also affected by the method of synthesis. Anion-exchange reactions yield a solid with a greater degree of order if the incoming ion is a CO3(2-) or Cl-. Incoming NO(3)- ions yield an interstratified phase, whereas incoming SO(4)(2-) ions generate turbostratic disorder. Conservation or its converse, elimination, of stacking disorders during anion exchange is the net result of several competing factors such as (i) the orientation of the hydroxyl groups in the interlayer region, (ii) the symmetry of the interlayer sites, (iii) the symmetry of the incoming ion, and (iv) the configuration of the anion. These short-range interactions ultimately affect the long-range stacking order or "crystallinity" of the LDH.     

镁铝层状超分子化合物去除废水中的六价铬

实验比较了Na_2CO_3/Na OH、Na OH和NH4OH沉淀法制备的镁铝层状化合物对模拟废水中Cr(Ⅵ)的去除效果,并通过X射线衍射和Brunauer-Emmett-Teller(BET)方法分析了材料的结构特征。结果表明,以Na_2CO_3/Na OH为沉淀剂制备的镁铝层状化合物结晶度高、层状结构完整、比表面积较大、孔径适宜、吸附Cr(Ⅵ)的效果最佳,其优化吸附工艺为:固液比为1 g/500 m L,体系pH值为7~9,室温下震荡9 h。在最佳吸附条件下,镁铝层状化合物对Cr(Ⅵ)的饱和吸附量达到199.4 mg/g。镁铝层状化合物通过与含铬阴离子形成层状超分子化合物的方式实现了废水中铬的去除,对含Cr(Ⅵ)226.1 mg/L的实验室废水经6次工艺处理后,残余量小于0.5 mg/L,低于国家污水综合排放标准(GB8978-1996)指标。镁铝层状化合物是一种处理实验室废水中Cr(Ⅵ)的优良吸附剂。     

Synthesis and thermolysis of lithium aluminum double hydroxide containing [Fe(OH)Edta]<Superscript>2−</Superscript>

The reaction of the chloride form of lithium aluminum layered double hydroxide (Li-Al LDH) with an aqueous solution of NaFeEdta · 2H₂O (pH 3.7) was studied. Anion exchange of chloride ions for [FeEdta]^? anions almost does not occur under the conditions of our experiment. Increasing pH to 8.0 initiates anion exchange of chloride ions for [Fe(OH)Edta]^2? anions, generating Li-Al LDH, whose structure is built of metal-hydroxide layers [LiAl₂(OH)₆]⁺ and layers containing [Fe(OH)Edta]^2? anions and water molecules. Thermolysis of Li-Al-[Fe(OH)Edta] was studied in an inert atmosphere and in vacuo. Heating to 220°C mainly eliminates interlayer water molecules. A further rise in temperature induces the dehydration of metal-hydroxide layers and OH groups of [Fe(OH)Edta]^2? anions and the destruction of the organic component of the anionic complex. At 375°C, an X-ray amorphous product is formed, in which most iron is in the form of Fe²⁺ cations. With increasing thermolysis temperature to 450°C, a magnetically ordered solid phase containing Fe²⁺ cations appears. Further temperature elevation to 550°C generates an α-Fe phase.     

In situ polymerization of the 4-vinylbenzenesulfonic anion in Ni-Al-layered double hydroxide and its molecular dynamic simulation

This paper describes a systematic study on the thermal polymerization of both pristine 4-vinylbenzenesulfonic anion (VBS) and intercalated VBS in the two-dimensional (2D) gallery of Ni-Al layered double hydroxide (VBS/Ni-Al-LDH), by virtue of combining experimental and theoretical investigations. In situ FT-IR, in situ high-temperature X-ray diffraction (HT-XRD), UV-vis absorption spectroscopy, TG-DTA and elemental analysis were used to study the polymerization process, and it was found that the polymerization of VBS/Ni-Al-LDH occurs at ca. 150-170 degrees C, at least 40 degrees C lower than that of the pristine VBS, indicating that the layered structure of LDH is favorable for thermal polymerization of VBS. Therefore, this layered inorganic material may have potential application as a "molecular reactor" for enhancing the efficiency of polymerization reaction. Furthermore, the sheet-like polymerization product was obtained with the LDHs lamella as template. For better understanding the structure and arrangement of intercalated VBS and the polymerization product between the layers of Ni-Al-LDH, molecular dynamics (MD) simulation method was employed. The simulation results of hydration energies show that there are two relatively stable stages upon the increase of the number of interlayer water molecules. VBS molecules exhibit a tendency from tilted to vertical orientation with respect to the layers as the interlayer water content increases. Compared with the experimental results, the calculated interlayer spacing is more severely affected by interlayer water content. Finally, a typical tetramer product of VBS intercalated LDH was studied and the simulated equilibrium interlayer spacing is consistent with the experimental result of in situ HT-XRD. Based on the combination of experimental and theoretical studies on the interlayer polymerization system, the aim of this work is to deeply investigate the differences in thermal polymerization process between pristine monomers and intercalated ones in the gallery of LDHs, and to give detailed information of the arrangement and swelling behavior of guest molecules confined between the sheets of host layers.     

Layered double hydroxide intercalated with p-methylbenzoate and p-bromobenzoate: molecular simulations and XRD analysis

Samples of Mg4Al2 layered double hydroxide (LDH) intercalated with p-methylbenzoate and p-bromobenzoate anions were prepared by reconstruction of calcined LDH. The interlayer arrangement of guests was investigated by molecular modeling combined with X-ray powder diffraction and thermogravimetry. Molecular modeling was carried out in a Cerius2 modeling environment. In both structures the guest anions adopt a nearly perpendicular arrangement of their long axis with respect to the host layers and they are anchored to the OH groups of the layers through COO* groups via electrostatic interactions. Molecular modeling revealed that both structures of the intercalates exhibit a certain disorder of guest anions in the interlayer space. In the case of LDH-p-methylbenzoate intercalate the anions tend to be situated in disordered rows, and the LDH-p-bromobenzoate intercalate exhibits a total disorientation of guest anions. A good agreement between calculated and measured X-ray diffraction patterns and between experimental and calculated basal spacings was obtained. In the LDH-p-methylbenzoate intercalate d exp=16.96 A and d calc=16.97 A, and in the case of LDH-p-bromobenzoate intercalate d exp=17.19 A and d calc=17.40 A.     

Compositional and structural control on anion sorption capability of layered double hydroxides (LDHs)

Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) have shown great promise as anion getters. In this paper, we demonstrate that the sorption capability of a LDH for a specific oxyanion can be greatly increased by appropriately manipulating material composition and structure. We have synthesized a large set of LDH materials with various combinations of metal cations, interlayer anions, and molar ratios of divalent cation M(II) to trivalent cation M(III). The synthesized materials have then been tested systematically for their sorption capabilities for pertechnetate (TcO(-)(4)). It is discovered that for a given interlayer anion (either CO(2-)(3) or NO(-)(3)) the Ni-Al LDH with a Ni/Al ratio of 3:1 exhibits the highest sorption capability among all the materials tested. The sorption of TcO(-)(4) on M(II)-M(III)-CO(3) LDHs may be dominated by the edge sites of LDH layers and correlated with the basal spacing d(003) of the materials, which increases with the decreasing radii of both divalent and trivalent cations. The sorption reaches its maximum when the layer spacing is just large enough for a pertechnetate anion to fit into a cage space among three adjacent octahedra of metal hydroxides at the edge. Furthermore, the sorption is found to increase with the crystallinity of the materials. For a given combination of metal cations and an interlayer anion, the best crystalline LDH material is obtained generally with a M(II)/M(III) ratio of 3:1. Synthesis with readily exchangeable nitrate as an interlayer anion greatly increases the sorption capability of a LDH material for pertechnetate. The work reported here will help to establish a general structure-property relationship for the related layered materials.