Synthesis of NiAl- layered double hydroxide with nitrate intercalation: Application in cyanide removal from steel industry effluent.

•Nanosized nitrate intercalated NiAl-LDH by co-precipitation method is synthesized.•Lower interlayer space (8 A°) of NiAl-LDH suggests planar orientation of nitrate ion.•The CN− maximum adsorption capacity of the LDH is 166 mg/g.•Ion exchange is the dominant mechanism.•The spent adsorbent can be reused up to 5 cycles.