Nickel-based layered double hydroxides (LDHs) having the composition Ni1-xMxIII(OH)(2)(A(n-))(x/n) (.) zH(2)O (x = 0.2-0.33, M-III = Al, Fe, Co) are isostructural with alpha-trickel hydroxide, stable to aging in alkali and deliver reversible discharge capacities corresponding to the coy couple. The LDHs of Ni with Cr and Mn are also electrochemically active and deliver capacities of 500 (Ni-Cr), 400 (Ni-Mn, x = 0.2) and 430 (Ni-Mn, x = 0.1) mAh g(-1) of Ni, respectively, while control electrodes Of beta(bc)(bc: badly crystalline)-nickel hydroxide deliver only 335 mAh g(-1).