Comparative X-ray diffraction and infrared spectroscopy study of Zn-Al layered double hydroxides: Vanadate vs nitrate

► Vanadate anion, which substitutes nitrate in Zn(2)Al layered hydroxide, is V2O74-. ► Site symmetry of nitrate in Zn(2)Al-NO3 is lower than D3h and likely to be C2ν. ► Disorder in Zn(2)Al-V2O7 results from interactions between V5+ and Zn2+/Al3+.