The composition of the most widespread LDHs is usually expressed by the general formula where or , and ; at and , .

The number of hydroxides is fixed and determined by LDHs' cation composition while anions in the interlayer space can be relatively easily replaced. Varying the cationic layer composition we can change its charge and, accordingly, the distance between the layers and the number of anions in the interlayer space. Introduction in the interlayer space of bipolar anions (e.g., surfactants) ensures that when the medium changes its polarity LDHs' particles can be split into separate fragments, up to individual layers. This process is reversible but the long-range order in such structures cannot be fully recovered. Layered double hydroxides are of considerable interest for nanotechnology applications. They can be used as two-dimensional nanoreactors (see nanoreactor, 2D), as two-dimensional model systems to study energy transfer processes, as systems for controlled drugs release, etc.