Layered double hydroxides with interlayer borate anions: A critical evaluation of synthesis methodology and pH-independent orientations in nano-galleries

► Synthetic methodologies for obtaining borate ion-intercalating LDH's were evaluated. ► Ion-exchange with tetraborate ions yield pillared LDH products. ► Ion-exchange with boric acid solutions yield high boron containing products at pH 9. ► Borate ions pH-independently polymerize to tri- or tetraborate ions in the galleries.