Structural and Electronic Modifications in ZnAl Layered Double Hydroxides Induced by Cu²⁺ and Ni²⁺ Incorporation toward Energy Storage Applications

Layered Double Hydroxides (LDHs) are versatile lamellar materials whose composition can be tailored through the incorporation of transition metal ions, making them promising candidates for electrochemical energy storage applications. In this work, ZnAl LDHs partially substituted with Cu²⁺ and Ni²⁺ were synthesized by the coprecipitation method and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and diffuse reflectance UV–Vis spectroscopy. The combined characterization confirmed the formation of the characteristic LDH structure while indicating that transition metal incorporation modifies the structural organization and physicochemical properties of ZnAl LDHs without disrupting their layered framework. These findings contribute to the understanding of transition metal incorporation in LDHs and provide a basis for the rational design of materials toward future electrochemical energy storage applications.