A NIMS research group led by associate principal investigator Renzhi Ma and director Takayoshi Sasaki of the International Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics (MANA) discovered that layered double hydroxide (LDH) nanosheets have exceptionally high hydroxyl ion (OH-) conductivity (as high as 10-1 S/cm). This OH- conductivity is 10 to 100 times higher than that of conventional OH- conductors, and is the highest even among inorganic anion conductors. LDH nanosheets may be applicable as solid electrolytes for alkaline fuel cells and water electrolyzers, among other devices.