A　pH-responsive　controlled　release　system　is　proposed　using　acid-decomposable　layered　double　hydroxides　(LDHs)　as　inorganic　nanovalves　by　virtue　of　the　electrostatic　adsorption　of　LDH　nanosheets　on　the　surface　of　mesoporous　silica　nanoparticles　(MSNs).　Guest　molecules　(Ru(bpy)　3Cl2　in　this　case)　are　loaded　and　encapsulated　in　a　neutral　environment.　The　dissolution　of　the　LDH　coatings　in　an　acidic　environment　triggers　the　release　of　the　guest　molecules　from　the　MSNs.　©　The　Royal　Society　of　Chemistry　2013.