Delamination of layered double hydroxides by use of surfactants

Delamination of the layered double hydroxide structure [Zn2Al(OH)(6)][C12H25SO4. nH(2)O] was realized by dispersion in butanol; translucent colloidal solutions are stable for at least 8 months with oriented LDH materials with extended crystallite size being obtained; the results presented here suggest that total delamination occurs in the colloidal solution.