Facile synthesis of submicron-scale layered double hydroxides and their direct decarbonation

We present a facile synthesis of layered double hydroxides (LDHs) with submicrometer-sized platelets in lateral dimension, and their subsequent direct decarbonation. First, LDH–carbonate phase (LDH_CO3) with submicrometer-sizes in lateral dimension were controlled synthesized by a facile accelerated urea hydrolysis method. Then, using HNO3–NaNO3 mixed solution, the obtained LDHs with carbonate anions in the interlayer were directly decarbonated to their nitrate form (LDH_NO3). These results are important for the synthesis of novel nanomaterials with controlled morphology and will benefit their applications.