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Title: Nanosized Ni–Al layered double hydroxides—Structural characterization

Journal Article · · Materials Research Bulletin
 [1];  [1];  [2];  [3];  [2]
  1. William Paterson University, Department of Chemistry, 300 Pompton Road, Wayne, NJ 07470 (United States)
  2. Lehman College – City University of New York, Department of Chemistry, Davis Hall, 250 Bedford Boulevard West, Bronx, NY 10468 (United States)
  3. Institute of Physical Chemistry, 202 Splaiul Independentei, 060021 Bucharest (Romania)

Highlights: ► The takovite anionic clays were obtained using the sol–gel method. ► The effect of samples’ composition on the structural and textural characteristics has been investigated. ► X-ray analysis. ► FTIR spectroscopy evidenced a disordered interlayer structure. ► FESEM and TEM analysis showed that the samples have high porosity. - Abstract: Takovite, a natural mineral with the formula Ni{sub 6}Al{sub 2}(OH){sub 6}CO{sub 3}·5H{sub 2}O belongs to the large class of layered double hydroxides (LDHs) and contains positively charged Ni(II) and Al(III) layers alternating with layers containing carbonate ions and water molecules. Mesoporous takovite-type layered double hydroxides (LDH) of the general formula [Ni{sub 1−x}Al{sub x}(OH){sub 2}]{sup x+}(CO{sub 3}{sup 2−}){sub x/2}·nH{sub 2}O with different Ni/Al molar ratios (1.9–2.8) have been successfully synthesized by the sol–gel method, followed by anionic exchange using nickel acetylacetonate and aluminum isopropylate as cation precursors. A single LDH phase and an anisotropic growth of very small crystallites (below 4 nm) have been evidenced by X-ray diffraction. The effect of samples’ composition on their structural and textural characteristics has been investigated. The BET surface area values are in the range of 100–122 m{sup 2}/g. BJH pore radius decreased with increase in the Al(III) content in the LDHs. FESEM micrographs show large aggregates of highly porous LDH particles, while TEM analysis reveals irregular agglomerates of crystallites, among which some of them displayed a developing hexagonal shape. The average particle size variation with the Al(III) content in the samples follows the same trend as the pore radius, the sample with the highest Ni/Al ratio displaying also the smallest particle size. This sample becomes even more interesting, since TEM analysis shows agglomerates with inside circular structures, feature not observed for the other Ni/Al ratios investigated.

OSTI ID:
22290430
Journal Information:
Materials Research Bulletin, Vol. 48, Issue 5; Other Information: Copyright (c) 2013 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved.; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0025-5408
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English