Highly efficient elimination of uranium from wastewater with facilely synthesized Mg-Fe layered double hydroxides: Optimum preparation conditions and adsorption kinetics

•• Mg-Fe layered double hydroxides (LDHs) were synthesized to remove uranium in water.•• Optimal synthetic conditions were comprehensively identified.•• The adsorbent showed much higher uranium removal capacity than reported LDHs.•• The adsorption mechanism, kinetics, stability, and selectivity were studied.•• Good performance was observed in treating actual wastewater from uranium mine.