Layered Double Hydroxides: Insights Into the Structural Regeneration by Memory Effect

Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) are a unique class of inorganic compounds, presenting positively charged layers arranged in a brucite-like structure. These materials are highly versatile due to their ability to host various anions in the interlayer spaces and accommodate diverse cations in the layers. As a result, LDHs have broad applications in fields like drug delivery, water purification, and catalysis. A key characteristic of LDHs is their structural “memory effect,” which allows them to restore their original structure after calcination. Factors such as temperature, pressure, pH, and the specific anions and cations involved significantly affect the properties of LDHs during regeneration. This work provides an in-depth review of the properties and uses of LDHs regenerated through the memory effect, offering insights into how their physical-chemical features can be tailored.