Composition and method of preparation for layered double hydroxides (LDHs) with specific anions, such as those derived from sulfanilic acid, p-tolulenesulfonic acid, or 4-chlorobenzenesulfonic acid. LDHs may also be altered by doping them with nickel to replace a fraction of the divalent metal present. Nickel-doped LDHs with exchanged anion composition may be useful as flame retardants, among many other possible uses including as antacids, drug-delivery systems, modified electrodes, polymer stabilizers, adsorbents, electro-photoactive materials, and catalysts or catalyst precursors.