Abstract

Layered double hydroxides (LDH) which are one type of layered materials
and are also known as anionic clays, are promising layered materials due to
some of their interesting properties, such as ease of synthesis, unique
structure, uniform distribution of different metal cations in
the brucite layer, surface hydroxyl groups, flexible tunability,
intercalated anions with interlayer spaces, swelling properties, oxo-bridged
linkage, and high chemical and thermal stability, ability to intercalate
different type of anions (inorganic, organic, biomolecules, and even genes),
delivery of intercalated anions in a sustained manner and also
high biocompatibility. Considering the previous work on LDH as
novel biomaterials, research on this particular materials has become one of
the most interesting topic of today's research. LDH has become an
important class of layered materials having prospects in the field of
biomaterials, wherein great attention has been paid to the biocompatibility
nature, exchange of the existing anion with the target anion, holding of
guest species in between the interlayer space and its controlled release of
the anion in a particular medium. This article, after deliberating the recent
significant evolution in the structure and different methods of synthesis of
different LDH materials and its applications in various extents especially its
biological applications through their structural and functional properties,
considers many typical examples. In particular, recent progress on the
emerging strategies of LDH to improve their antimicrobial activity is also
presented.