Abstract In this paper, we investigate the cation-exchange properties of a self-assembled hybrid material towards trivalent ions, lanthanides (La 3+, Eu 3+, Gd 3+, Yb 3+) and Fe 3+. The bis-zwitterionic lamellar material was prepared by sol–gel process from only 3- aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES), succinic anhydride, and ethylenediamine. In ethanol heated under reflux, the exchange ethylenediammonium versus Ln 3+ proved to be ...