Mg-Al layered double hydroxides (LDHs) intercalated with NO3- (NO3 center dot Mg-Al LDH) and Cl- (Cl center dot Mg-Al LDH) were found to adsorb fluoride from aqueous solutions. Fluoride is removed by anion exchange in solution with NO3- and Cl- intercalated in the LDH interlayer. In both cases, the residual F concentration is lower than the effluent standards for F in Japan (8 mg/L). The rate-determining step in the removal of F using NO3 center dot Mg-Al and Cl center dot Mg-Al LDH is chemical adsorption involving F-anion exchange with intercalated NO3- and Cl- ions. The removal of F is described by pseudo-second-order reaction kinetics, with Langmuir-type adsorption. The values obtained for the maximum adsorption and the equilibrium adsorption constant are respectively 3.3 mmol g(-1) and 2.8 with NO3 center dot Mg-Al LDH, and 3.2 mmol g(-1) and 1.5 with Cl center dot Mg-Al LDH. The F in the F center dot Mg-Al LDH produced in these reactions was found to exchange with NO3- and Cl- ions in solution. The regenerated NO3 center dot Mg-Al and Cl center dot Mg-Al LDHs thus obtained can be used once more to capture aqueous F. This suggests that NO3 center dot Mg-Al and Cl center dot Mg-Al LDHs can be recycled and used repeatedly for F removal. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.