Hydrothermally Grown NiV Layered Double Hydroxides: A Ferromagnetic Insulator

Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) have emerged as fascinating materials, useful for several applications owing to their intriguing properties and low‐cost synthesis via hydrothermal methods. Herein, the realization of a ferromagnetic‐insulating state in nickel vanadium (Ni:V) LDH with different molar ratios (Ni:V—1:1, 1.5:1, 2:1, 4:1, 6:1, and 10:1) is reported. The X‐ray diffraction data of Ni:V LDHs reveal that Ni:V (2:1) LDH exhibits highest peak intensity at 2 θ ≈ 34.47 o in comparison with other LDHs; therefore, this sample is studied with further characterization techniques. Nanosheets with an average thickness of ≈7 nm are preassembled into a 3D flower‐like structure as observed using field emission scanning electron microscopy. Transmission electron microscopy suggests a lattice spacing of 0.31 nm with polycrystalline nature of Ni:V(2:1) LDH. The energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy investigation suggests a uniform distribution of Ni, V, and O in Ni:V(2:1) LDH. A ferromagnetic ground state is found with saturation magnetization and Curie temperature of 176 emu g −1 and 22.56 K, respectively. Unusually, it exhibits an insulating state with a bandgap of ≈2.46 eV. These findings have the potential to transform the realm of magnetic/electrostatic memory materials by establishing a new path within the domain of LDHs.