A new method for fast intercalation of bulk crown ether guest into LDH

► Reaction can be accomplished within short time as several minutes at room temperature. ► Products give well-retained morphology, high yield, and unchanged layer compositions. ► The preceding combination of TECA and formamide accelerated the swelling of LDH. ► The quasi-homogeneous colloidal system promoted quick restoration of LDH sheets. ► The Daumas-Hérold staging structure rarely observed in LDH system was found.