Synthesis and characterization of the SnO2-pillared layered titanate nanohybrid

SnO2-pillared titanate nanohybrid has been prepared by reacting the exfoliated layered titanate sheets with the nanosized SnO2 sol particles. The stable two-dimensional colloidal nanosheets could be obtained by intercalating tetrabutylammonium cation into the layered protonic titanate, HxTi2−x/4□x/4O4·H2O (x=0.67) with a lepidocrocite-like structure, and by successive exfoliation process in an aqueous solution. Monodispersed SnO2 nano sol particles were prepared by hydrolysis of SnCl4·5H2O in the presence of sodium hydroxide, and then the exfoliated titanate suspension was mixed with SnO2 nano sol solution until the flocculated products formed. The final product was heated at various temperatures in order to complete the grafting reaction of intercalated SnO2 nano sol on the interlayer surface of layered titanate. Inductive coupled plasma, X-ray diffraction, thermal analysis and N2-adsorption–desorption isotherms were carried out to study the hybridizing process and the structure of SnO2-pillared titanate nanohybrid.