Intercalation of an oxalatooxoniobate complex into layered double hydroxide and layered zinc hydroxide nitrate

A Zn/Al layered double hydroxide with molar ratio of 3 was prepared by coprecipitation in alkaline pH and used as a matrix to intercalate the ionic complex diaquadioxalatooxoniobate(V) (DDON), derived from NH₄[NbO(C₂O₄)₂(H₂O)₂]2H₂O. In a similar way, the layered zinc hydroxide nitrate, Zn₅(OH)₈(NO₃)₂2H₂O, was synthesized, preexpanded with azelate ions (⁻OOC(CH₂)₇COO⁻), and then intercalated with the niobium complex. For both layered matrices, the results from X-ray powder diffractometry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and thermal analysis (TG/s-DTA) indicate the presence of the oxalate ion. In addition, results from X-ray photoelectron and Raman spectroscopy indicate the presence of the niobium center bonded to oxygen atoms. Finally, diffuse reflectance UV–vis spectroscopy suggests that the niobium centers are coordinated to oxalate ions. This is the first report of the intercalation of niobium into a layered matrix.     

A novel nanocomposite material prepared by intercalating photoresponsive dendrimers into a layered double hydroxide

A novel combination for an inorganic-organic nanocomposite material was demonstrated. Anthryl dendron, i.e., poly(amidoamine) dendron with an anthracene chromophore group at the focal point, was incorporated in the interlayer space of ZnAl-NO₃ type layered double hydroxide (LDH) through an anion-exchange reaction. The photoabsorption and fluorescence properties of the resulting material were different from those of the bare anthryl dendron molecule. It was suggested that the change in photochemical properties was due to the organization and π-π interaction of anthracene chromophores within the interlayer of the LDH.     

Biopolymer immobilization during the crystalline growth of layered double hydroxide

Alginic acid, a biopolymer produced by brown seaweed, is incorporated between the sheets of a layered double hydroxide (LDH) via direct coprecipitation. The growth of the inorganic crystalline seeds over the polymer gives rise to a lamellar structure. The obtained nanocomposite presents a basal spacing in agreement with the ideal picture of the polymer lying perpendicularly to the inorganic sheets. A study using FTIR and ¹³C CP-MAS spectroscopies suggests that the interaction between the organic guest and the inorganic framework is weak. However, the polymer has a stabilizing effect in temperature, since ZnO is observed at 350°C, whereas it appears at 200°C for the chloride LDH pristine material.     

From Zn-Al layered double hydroxide to ZnO nanostructure:Gradually etching by sodium hydroxide

Zn-Al layered double hydroxide(LDH) was used as precursor to produce ZnO nanostructures through dissolution of aluminum hydroxide in caustic soda.The Zn-Al LDH could transform into different nanostructures of ZnO on LDH nanosheets and even pure ZnO nanorods under various NaOH concentration.The formed ZnO nanorods vertically aligned on both LDH sides.UV-vis diverse reflectance spectra show that the obtained ZnO nanorods have a band gap of approximately 3.05 eV.Such ZnO/LDH nanostructures might be used as photocatalyst in the organic pollutant decomposition.     

Surface-charging behavior of Zn-Cr layered double hydroxide

A Zn-Cr layered double hydroxide (LDH) having the formula Zn(2)Cr(OH)(6)Cl(0.7)(CO(3))(0.15)2.1H(2)O was synthesized and characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, acid-base potentiometric titration, mass titration, electrophoretic mobility, and modeling of the electrical double layer. Adsorption of alizarin was also performed in order to show some particular features of the HDL. Net hydroxyl adsorption, which increases with increasing pH and decreasing supporting electrolyte concentration, takes place above pH 5. The electrophoretic mobility of the particles was always positive and it decreased when the pH was higher than 9. An isoelectric point of 12 could be estimated by extrapolating the data. The modified MUSIC model was used to estimate deprotonation constants of surface groups and different adsorption models were compared. Good fit of hydroxyl adsorption and electrophoresis could be achieved by considering both OH(-)/Cl(-) exchange at structural sites and proton desorption from surface hydroxyl groups. The modeling, in agreement with alizarin adsorption, indicates that most of the structural positive charge of the LDH is screened at the surface by exchanged anions and negatively charged surface groups. It also suggests that only structural charge sites initially neutralized by chloride ions are active for anion exchange. The remaining sites are blocked by carbonate and do not participate in the exchange.     

Nonisothermal crystallization and morphology of poly(butylene succinate)/layered double hydroxide nanocomposites

Biodegradable poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) and layered double hydroxide (LDH) nanocomposites were prepared via melt blending in a twin-screw extruder. The morphology and dispersion of LDH nanoparticles within PBS matrix were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), which showed that LDH nanoparticles were found to be well distributed at the nanometer level. The nonisothermal crystallization behavior of nanocomposites was extensively studied using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) technique at various cooling rates. The crystallization rate of PBS was accelerated by the addition of LDH due to its heterogeneous nucleation effect; however, the crystallization mechanism and crystal structure of PBS remained almost unchanged. In kinetics analysis of nonisothermal crystallization, the Ozawa approach failed to describe the crystallization behavior of PBS/LDH nanocomposites, whereas both the modified Avrami model and the Mo method well represented the crystallization behavior of nanocomposites. The effective activation energy was estimated as a function of the relative degree of crystallinity using the isoconversional analysis. The subsequent melting behavior of PBS and PBS/LDH nanocomposites was observed to be dependent on the cooling rate. The POM showed that the small and less perfect crystals were formed in nanocomposites.     

LDPE/Mg-Al layered double hydroxide nanocomposite: Thermal and flammability properties

Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) are new nanofillers which exhibit improved thermal and flammability properties in various kinds of polymer matrices. These materials have certain advantages over conventional metal hydroxides and also layered silicates so far as the flame retardancy is concerned. In this article, flammability and thermal properties of the nanocomposite based on low density polyethylene (LDPE) and Mg-Al based layered double hydroxide (Mg-Al LDH) are reported in detail. The nanocomposites containing different LDH concentrations were prepared by melt-compounding using a tightly intermeshing co-rotating twin-screw extruder. The morphological analysis reveals an exfoliated/intercalated type LDH particle morphology in these nanocomposites. The thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) shows that even a small amount of LDH improves the thermal stability and onset decomposition temperature in comparison with the unfilled LDPE. The heat release rate (HRR) and its maximum (PHRR) during cone-calorimeter investigation are found to be reduced significantly with increasing LDH concentration. The nanocomposites not only exhibit reduced total heat released (measure of propensity to produce long duration fire), but also lower tendency to fast fire growth (measured by the ratio of PHRR and time of ignition). The limited oxygen index (LOI) and the dripping behavior are also improved with increasing LDH concentration.     

Optimization of layered double hydroxide stability and adsorption capacity for anionic surfactants

Low cost adsorption technology offers high potential to clean up laundry rinsing water. From an earlier selection of adsorbents (Schouten et al. 2007), layered double hydroxide (LDH) proved to be an interesting material for the removal of anionic surfactant, linear alkyl benzene sulfonate (LAS) which is the main contaminant in rinsing water. The main research question was to identify the effect of process parameters of the LDH synthesis on the stability of the LDH structure and the adsorption capacity of LAS. LDH was synthesized with the co-precipitation method of Reichle (1986); a solution of M²⁺(NO₃)₂ and M³⁺(NO₃)₃ and a second solution of NaOH and Na₂CO₃ were pumped in a beaker and mixed. The precipitate that was formed was allowed to age and was subsequently washed, dried and calcined. The process parameters that were investigated are the concentration of the initial solutions, M²⁺/M³⁺ ratio and type of cations. The crystallinity can be improved by decreasing the concentration of the initial solutions; this also decreases the leaching of M³⁺ from the brucite-like structure into the water. The highest adsorption capacity is obtained for Mg²⁺/Al³⁺ with a ratio 1 and 2 because of the higher charge density compared to ratio 3. Storing the LDH samples in water resulted in a reduction of adsorption capacity and a decrease in surface area and pore volume. Therefore, LDH is not applicable in a small device for long term use in aqueous surroundings. The adsorption capacity can be maintained during storage in a dry N₂ atmosphere.     

Synergistic effects of layered double hydroxide with hyperfine magnesium hydroxide in halogen-free flame retardant EVA/HFMH/LDH nanocomposites

The synergistic effects of layered double hydroxide (LDH) with hyperfine magnesium hydroxide (HFMH) in halogen-free flame retardant ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA)/HFMH/LDH nanocomposites have been studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron spectroscopy (TEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), limiting oxygen index (LOI), mechanical properties' tests, and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA). The XRD results show that the exfoliated EVA/HFMH/LDH can be obtained by controlling the LDH loading. The TEM images give the evidence that the organic-modified LDH (OM-LDH) can act as a disperser and help HFMH particles to disperse homogeneously in the EVA matrix. The TGA data demonstrate that the addition of LDH can raise 5-18 °C thermal degradation temperatures of EVA/HFMH/LDH nanocomposite samples with 5-15 phr OM-LDH compared with that of the control EVA/HFMH sample when 50% weight loss is selected as a point of comparison. The LOI and mechanical tests show that the LDH can act as flame retardant synergist and compatilizer to apparently increase the LOI and elongation at break values of EVA/HFMH/LDH nanocomposites. The DMTA data verify that the T_g value (−10 °C) of the EVA/HFMH/LDH nanocomposite sample with 15 phr LDH is much lower than that (T_g = −2 °C) of the control EVA/HFMH sample without LDH and approximates to the T_g value (−12 °C) of pure EVA, which indicates that the nanocomposites with LDH have more flexibility than that of the EVA/HFMH composites.     

Flame-retarded polystyrene: Investigating chemical interactions between ammonium polyphosphate and MgAl layered double hydroxide

Potential flame retardants, MgAl-LDH and ammonium polyphosphate (APP), were added to neat polystyrene (PS) individually or in combinations at weight fractions no greater than 10%. Structural morphologies of MgAl-LDH and the corresponding PS nanocomposites were established via X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and cone calorimetry were used to study the thermal stability and fire performance of the composites. Time to ignition is greatly reduced for PS composites when compared to the virgin polymer. Synergistic effects were observed in both TGA and cone calorimetry for formulations containing both MgAl-LDH and APP. Physical and chemical interactions between MgAl-LDH and APP are responsible for the observed synergy in thermal stability and fire performance.     

Biodegradable poly(propylene carbonate)/layered double hydroxide composite films with enhanced gas barrier and mechanical properties

Relatively well crystallized and high aspect ratio Mg-Al layered double hydroxides(LDHs) were prepared by coprecipitation process in aqueous solution and further rehydrated to an organic modified LDH(OLDH) in the presence of surfactant. The intercalated structure and high aspect ratio of OLDH were verified by X-ray diffraction(XRD) and scanning electron microscopy(SEM). A series of poly(propylene carbonate)(PPC)/OLDH composite films with different contents of OLDH were prepared via a melt-blending method. Their cross section morphologies, gas barrier properties and tensile strength were investigated as a function of OLDH contents. SEM results show that OLDH platelets are well dispersed within the composites and oriented parallel to the composite sheet plane. The gas barrier properties and tensile strength are obviously enhanced upon the incorporation of OLDH. Particularly, PPC/2%OLDH film exhibits the best barrier properties among all the composite films. Compared with pure PPC, the oxygen permeability coefficient(OP) and water vapor permeability coefficient(WVP) is reduced by 54% and 17% respectively with 2% OLDH addition. Furthermore, the tensile strength of PPC/2%OLDH is 83% higher than that of pure PPC with only small lose of elongation at break. Therefore, PPC/OLDH composite films show great potential application in packaging materials due to its biodegradable properties, superior oxygen and moisture barrier characteristics.     

Stabilization of antioxidant gallate in layered double hydroxide by exfoliation and reassembling reaction

As for the stabilization of chemically sensitive bioactive molecule in this study, gallic acid (GA) with antioxidant property was intercalated into interlayer space of layered double hydroxide (LDH), which was realized by exfoliation and reassembling reaction. At first, the pristine nitrate-type Zn₂Al-LDH in solid state was synthesized via co-precipitation followed by the hydrothermal treatment at 80 °C for 6 h, and then exfoliated in formamide to form a colloidal solution of exfoliated LDH nanosheets, and finally reassembled in the presence of GA to prepare GA intercalated LDH (GA-LDH) desired, where the pH was adjusted to 8.0 in order to deprotonate GA to form gallate anion. According to the XRD analysis, GA-LDH showed well-developed (00l) diffraction peaks with a basal spacing of 1.15 nm, which was estimated to be larger than that of the pristine LDH (0.88 nm), indicating that gallate molecules were incorporated into LDH layers with perpendicular orientation. From the FT-IR spectra it was found that gallic acid was completely deprotonated into gallate, and stabilized in between LDH lattices via electrostatic interaction. The content of GA in GA-LDH was determined to be around 23 wt% by UV–vis spectroscopic study, which was also confirmed by HPLC analysis. According to the in-vitro release of GA out of GA-LDH in PBS solution (pH 7.4) at 4 °C, GA was sustainably released from GA-LDH nanohybrid up to 86% within 72 h. The antioxidant property of GA-LDH was almost the same with that of intact GA which was examined by DPPH. The photostability of GA-LDH under UV light irradiation was immensely enhanced compared to intact GA. It is, therefore, concluded that the present GA-LDH nanohybrid can be considered as an excellent antioxidant material with high chemical- and photo-stabilities, and controlled release property.     

Exfoliation of layered double hydroxide in polystyrene by in-situ atom transfer radical polymerization using initiator-modified precursor

Exfoliated nanocomposite, based on Zn, Al layered double hydroxide (LDH) and polystyrene (PS), has been achieved by in-situ atom transfer radical polymerization reaction from initiator-modified LDH. The exfoliated structure is characterized by X-ray diffraction and transmission electronic microscope. The results suggest that the exfoliated ZnAl(DS) LDH sheets with a thickness of less than 1 nm disperse individually in the PS matrix, and the thermal stability of the nanocomposite shows a marked improvement. When the 50 wt% weight loss is selected as a comparison point, the decomposition temperature of PS/LDH nanocomposite is about 45 °C higher than that of pure PS.     

不同金属离子层状双氢氧化物制备及表征

本文采用恒定pH值共沉淀法制备六种层板金属离子不同的层状双氢氧化物(LDH).通过傅立叶变换红外光谱仪(FT-IR)、X-射线衍射仪(XRD)和扫描电子显微镜(SEM)对LDH进行了表征,并利用热重分析(TG)研究了LDH的热分解行为.研究表明,不同金属离子对LDH的层间距、晶粒尺寸等参数有一定影响,团聚程度也有较大的差异.     

The effect of Zn, Al layered double hydroxide on thermal decomposition of poly(vinyl chloride)

Poly(vinyl chloride)/layered double hydroxide (LDH) composite was prepared by mixing 4 wt% Zn₂Al-CO₃-LDH with PVC and fluxing at 180 °C. The thermal decomposition behaviour of the LDH + PVC composite in air and nitrogen environments was systematically investigated. We found that mixing Zn₂Al-CO₃-LDH into PVC facilitates dehydrochlorination from ca. 300 to 270 °C but reduces the reaction extent to leave more chlorine on the polyene backbones both in air and N₂. We have also found that at 400-550 °C, both in air and N₂, LDH assists the formation of char-like materials and decreases the release of volatile hydrocarbons. From 550 to 800 °C, the char-like materials are mostly retained in N₂ while they are almost completely thermo-oxidized (burned) in air. Thus, addition of Zn₂Al-CO₃-LDH to PVC does not increase the thermal stability, but does promote charring to retard the generation of flame. The influence of LDH on PVC thermal properties has been also addressed mechanically.     

Dispersion control and nematic ordering of Ni/Al layered double hydroxide suspensions

In this paper, we report the preparation of aqueous suspensions of Ni/Al layered double hydroxide (LDH) nanoparticles by a non-steady co-precipitation followed by peptization. By choosing suitable peptization temperature and time, well-dispersed suspensions were obtained. Meanwhile, the particle size, shape and size polydispersity can be efficiently controlled. Nematic ordering is observed in colloidal Ni/Al LDH suspensions and confirmed by birefringence observations and SAXS measurements. Furthermore, we showed that the sol-gel transition takes place after a liquid crystalline phase transition in concentrated Ni/Al LDH suspensions. The absence of isotropic-nematic phase separation can be attributed to the fact that the nematic phase droplets are too small to settle to the bottom of the cuvette.     

Preparation of ultrathin membranes by layer-by-layer deposition of layered double hydroxide (LDH) and polystyrene sulfonate (PSS)

Nanofilms were prepared by consecutively alternating adsorption of Mg–Al (2:1) layered double hydroxide (LDH) and polysodium 4-styrenesulfonate (PSS). The charge density of oppositely charged materials strongly affect film properties like thickness and ordering. The specific charge of the colloid particles (LDH) and macromolecules was determined with the particle charge detector. The sequential build-up of the thin films was followed by spectrophotometry and X-ray diffraction. The surface morphology of the multilayers was characterized by atomic force microscopy. The influence of the charge density of the applied materials and of the mass ratio of LDH/PSS on the film thickness were studied.     

Influence of imide functionalized organo‐modified Mg‐Al layered double hydroxide on the thermal and mechanical properties of new aliphatic‐aromatic poly (amide‐imide)

A new dicarboxylic acid modified Mg‐Al LDH (DLDH) containing imide groups was prepared and its effects on the thermal and mechanical properties of the new synthesized aliphatic‐aromatic poly (amide‐imide) (PAI) were investigated via preparation of PAI/nanocomposite films by solution casting method. The results of X‐ray diffraction (XRD), field emission‐scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed a uniform dispersion for LDH layers into the PAI matrix. For comparison, the effects of polyacrylic acid‐co‐poly‐2‐acrylamido‐ 2‐methylpropanesulfonic acid (PAMPS‐co‐PAA) modified Mg‐Al LDH (ALDH) on the PAI properties were also studied. The thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) results exhibited that the temperature at 5 mass% loss (T₅) increased from 277 °C to 310 °C for nanocomposite containing 2 mass% of DLDH, while T₅ for nanocomposite containing 2 mass% of ALDH increased to 320 °C, along with the more enhancement of char residue compared to the neat PAI. According to the tensile test results, with 5 mass% DLDH loading in the PAI matrix, the tensile strength increased from 51.6 to 70.8 MPa along with an increase in Young's modulus. Also the Young's modulus of PAI nanocomposite containing 5 mass% ALDH reduced from 1.95 to 0.81 GPa.     

Fire retardancy of melamine and zinc aluminum layered double hydroxide in poly(methyl methacrylate)

The thermal and fire properties of PMMA modified with various loadings of melamine or zinc aluminum undecenoate LDH were evaluated using TGA, DTA and cone calorimetry. The additives were characterized by X-ray diffraction, TGA, FT-IR and elemental analysis. While the two additives are very effective with this polymer, a higher loading of melamine (30%) is required to reach a good reduction in PHRR (47%) relative to the pure polymer, while with the LDH, 10% loading is enough to obtain a similar reduction. The combinations of these additives in PMMA reveal that the time to PHRR and the amount of smoke produced are the key differences, with melamine increasing the first parameter and leading to less smoke production relative to LDH-rich PMMA systems at similar total additive loadings. Analysis of the residue shows that melamine is completely lost during combustion while the LDH forms ZnO and ZnAl₂O₄.     

Thermal stability and flammability characteristics of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) composites blended with a phenyl phosphonate-intercalated layered double hydroxide (LDH), melamine polyphosphate and/or boric acid

A phenyl phosphonate-intercalated MgAl-LDH (MgAl-PPh), melamine polyphosphate (MP), and boric acid (BA) were independently and concomitantly added to neat ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer at loading fractions of 10% (w/w). The structural morphology of MgAl-PPh was established via powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) while the presence of phenyl phosphonate in the galleries was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR). Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and cone calorimetry were used to evaluate the thermal stability and flammability behavior of EVA and its composites. While time-to-ignition is greatly reduced for EVA composites compared to the virgin polymer, there are remarkable reductions in the peak heat release rate (PHRR) which relates to a reduction in flame intensity. Synergistic effects were observed in cone calorimetry for the formulation containing MgAl-PPh, MP, and BA.