Abstract: Glutamic acid(Glu) was intercalated into ZnAl layered double hydroxides(ZnAl-LDH) via the ion-exchange method to form Glu/ZnAl-LDH compounds,and the influence of exchange time on the structure of Glu/ZnAl-LDH was systematically investigated by X-ray diffraction(XRD),Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR),transmission electron microscopy(TEM),thermo-gravimetry(TG) and differential thermal analysis(DTA) techniques.It was found that when the exchange time was one day,the crystallinity of Glu/ZnAl-LDH compounds was high and Glu was intercalated vertically into the ZnAl-LDH sheets,and Glu in the layers reached exchange equilibrium at this moment.When the exchange time was 2 days,part of Glu was intercalated horizontally.When the exchange time was further extended,the strucutre of ZnAl-LDH would be partially collapsed.In addition,the hexagonal shape of ZnAl-LDH compounds would be dissolved partially in the acid solution.Furthermore,the thermal stability of Glu would be increased dramatically when Glu was intercalated into ZnAl-LDH compounds,hence,ZnAl-LDH could be used as the excellent carrier and storage of biomaterial.