Interaction of pristine hydrotalcite-like layered double hydroxides with CO2: a thermogravimetric study

Metal oxides in general have surface acidic sites, but for exceptional circumstances, are not expected to mineralize CO2. Given their intrinsic basicity and an expandable interlayer gallery, the hydrotalcite-like layered double hydroxides (LDHs) are expected to be superior candidate materials for CO2 mineralization. However, the incorporation of Al3+ adversely impacts the ability of the metal hydroxide layer to interact with CO2 in the gas phase in comparison with the unitary Mg(OH)2. Thermogravimetric analysis shows that the decomposition reaction of the [Mg–Al–CO3] LDH is only marginally delayed in flowing CO2 in comparison with flowing N2, showing only an apparent marginal CO2 uptake. Al3+ ion severely attenuates the surface basicity of the LDHs, as the unitary Al(OH)3 is acidic in comparison with Mg(OH)2 and shows little or no interaction with CO2 in the gas phase.