1. Could you explain the significance of your article to the non-specialist? 

Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) are unusual layered host materials, since they contain positive layers and undergo anion exchange chemistry. This is useful for advanced applications: e.g. for advanced drug delivery systems. The two papers explore the anion exchange chemistry of a new family of LDHs, which have an entirely different composition to those known previously. It has been frequently shown that the composition of an LDH affects its chemistry, and therefore these new materials are of immense importance. Our publications probe the reaction mechanisms of the formation of a number of novel LDH/organic guest hybrids, and demonstrate that the new materials may be used to quickly and efficiently separate mixtures of isomeric organic anions, which is very difficult to achieve by other means.

2. What has motivated you to conduct this work? 

This work forms part of our programme of investigation into the intercalation chemistry of LDHs, and how they might be used for advanced applications. It also links in to our in situ project, in which we aim to determine the factors governing intercalation reactions, with the eventual goal of being able to model the intercalation processes using computer simulations. These two projects will advance our understanding of this area of chemistry, and eventually we hope to be able to predict the outcomes of reactions with a high degree of accuracy.

3. Where do you see this work developing in the future? 

In the future we hope to produce a variety of LDH-based hybrid materials for industrial applications. We have frequently seen that by tuning the particular LDH used and the reaction conditions (temperature, solvent etc.) we can achieve different outcomes. Hence, as the number of systems studied expands, it should be possible to employ 'fine tuning' to accurately control the materials formed, optimising them for various functions.