Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) are a family of layered materials with composition [M1-xz+Mx3+(OH)2]a+(Xn–)a/n.mH2O. LiAl-X LDHs are a class of LDHs that have been extensively investigated due to their many applications as absorbents or in photochemistry. They can be synthesised in two ways; direct intercalation by treatment of gibbsite, bayerite or nördstrandite and hydrothermal treatment of a hydrated alumina gel with LiOH.
In this hot paper, The O’Hare group at the University of Oxford describe the first topotactic synthesis of rod-like LDH particles through that simultaneous intercalation of Li+ cations and X– anions (X = Cl–, and Br–). Nanorods of LiAl-X were synthesised by intercalation of LiX into a rod-like morphology of gibbsite. The authors find that LiAl-X-rod can undergo further anion exchange intercalation with cyclamate into LiAl-Cl-rod.
Topotactic synthesis of layered double hydroxide nanorods
J. Mater. Chem., 2012, 22, 23064. DOI: 10.1039/c2jm34670b (free to read for a short time)
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