Vibrational modes of layered double hydroxides and their calcined deri
vatives in the region of 60-4000 cm(-1) have been studied using a comb
ination of inelastic neutron scattering (INS), Fourier transform infra
red (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopies. The INS spectra recorded at 30 K
are dominated by the vibrational contribution of the water contained i
n the negatively charged layers. Using FTIR and Raman assignments of L
DHs and magnesium hydroxide, the lattice modes of the moieties present
in the positively charged layers have been identified and assigned. W
e infer from the results that the vibrational modes of the cationic la
yer are unaffected by change in the identity of the interlayer anions
and that the hydroxyl bonds are strengthened by thermal activation. (C
) 1998 Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.