| Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) are anionic clays with a wide range of applications from precursors and supports for catalysts to adsorbents for anionic pollution and filtration. The most interesting properties of the oxides obtained by calcination are: 1) High surface area; 2) Basic properties; 3) Formation of homogeneous mixtures of very small, thermally stable, crystal size oxides crystallites; and 4) "Memory effect," which allows the potential reconstruction to the original hydrotalcite structure.;LDHs samples were synthesized via a co-precipitation method from Texas State University. Samples were compared using X-Ray Diffraction, Scanning Electron Microscopy, Energy Dispersion X-Ray Analysis, Thermogravimetric Analysis-Differential Scanning Calorimetry, Mass Spectrometry, and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy via thermal treatment up to 650oC. Increasing charge density, can explain the hydration mechanism along with ion to cation interface change. Investigation using various intercalated anions, acetate, sulfate, nitrate, phosphate, and carbonate on LDH shows an increase in thermal stability from monovalent to multivalent anions. Development of new charge compensation, staged decomposition and hydroxide stability distribution correlation models can be derived from these results. |
