Morphology and size control of Ni–Al layered double hydroxides using chitosan as template

Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) synthesized by conventional methods are usually hexagonal platelet morphology. Using chitosan as template for synthesis of Ni–Al–CO3 LDHs, the LDH particles are curved in the a direction, deviating from the flat platelets. The crystallite growth in a and c directions is both inhibited. Especially in the c direction, the stacking thickness of LDH sheets decreases to half of the thickness of sample synthesized by conventional method.