Intercalation of Azo Compounds into Layered Aluminium Dihydrogentriphosphate and a Layered Double Hydroxide

The inner surfaces of inorganic layered compounds such as aluminium dihydrogen-triphosphate (ADHP) and layered double hydroxide (LDH) were modified by azo compounds. Upon intercalation of 4-phenylazoaniline and 4,4-azodianiline into ADHP, the interlayer spacing increased from 6.4 to 21.5 Å and 20.6 Å, respectively. The intensity of IR peaks due to P-–OH of ADHP and amino groups of guests decreased by the thermal treatment of the intercalates. The interlayer spacings also decreased to 16.9 Å and 16.7 Å, respectively, indicating a dehydration reaction between P–-OH and amino groups. The LDH inner surface was modified by the reaction with trans-p-phenylazobenzoylchloride (PAB-Cl). Upon surface modification, the interlayer spacing increased from 7.6 Å to about 27 Å. The absorption of this surface-modified LDH near 410 nm increased upon irradiation with UV light and decreased upon irradation with visible light, indicating the occurrence of trans–cis isomerization of PAB-Cl between the layers.