Thermal decomposition behavior of Cu-Al layered double hydroxide, and ethylenediaminetetraacetate-intercalated Cu-Al layered double hydroxide reconstructed from Cu-Al oxide for uptake of Y3+ from aqueous solution

► Decomposition of CO3·Cu-Al LDH occurred in four stages. ► The edta·Cu-Al LDH was found to take up Y3+ in aqueous solution. ► The edta·Cu-Al LDH could selectively take up rare earth ions from a mixed solution.