Effect of surfactant concentration on the stacking modes of organo-silylated layered double hydroxides

Abstract The effects of the surfactant concentration on the structure, morphology and thermal property of silylated hydrotalcites have been investigated. By in-situ coprecipitation, the surfaces of layered double hydroxides (LDHs) have been modified by using 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTS) and anionic surfactant, Na-dodecylsulfate (SDS). Two different stacking modes in the resultant materials were detected by X-ray diffraction (XRD). One has an identical structure of LDHs, in which the SDS and APTS only bond to the outside surfaces and plate edges of LDH. The other is with enlarged interlayer distance, in which SDS and APTS combined with the inside surfaces of LDH. With the increased loading of SDS and APTS, the surface of the modified LDH appeared rough as observed in the transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images. The attenuated total reflection Fourier-transform infrared (ATR FTIR) spectra of the silylated hydrotalcites showed a series of bands attributed to –NH2 and Si–O–M (M = Mg and Al), proving that APTS has successfully been grafted onto LDH. The thermogravimetric curves (TG) showed that the silane grafted samples have less –OH concentration and less interlayer water, as a result of the –OH consumption during the condensation reaction between Si–OH and –OH on LDH surface. These nanomaterials are of potential applications including clay-based nanocomposites, adsorbents for removal of organic contaminants from water and flame retardant materials.