Intercalation of γ-PGA in Mg/Al layered double hydroxides: An in situ WAXD and FTIR investigation

► γ-PGA has been intercalated into a MgAl-LDH through the anionic exchanged method. ► LDH-PGA provides new choices for preparing entirely biodegradable nanocomposites. ► The structure of LDH is stabilized by Coulomb interaction and hydrogen bonding. ► The decrease of d-spacing is attributed to the destruction of hydrogen bonding.