Novel rare earth (Ce and La) hydrotalcite like material: Synthesis and characterization

Novel rare earth element hydrotalcite-like compounds (REE HT) also referred as layered double hydroxides were produced by co-precipitation with ultrasound homogenization under low supersaturation condition. Thermal treatment was performed at 500 °C and 650 °C. Samples were characterized by several methods: X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman Spectroscopy (RS), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Electron Microprobe (EMP). The assemblage data obtained, increasing on cell parameters and the hexagonal symmetry confirmed the partial substitution of Al3+ by Ce3+ and La3+ in the HT structure. La HT is an effective precursor for MgAlLaO solid solution of MgO-type materials, being very promising to be several catalytic applications.

► This work evaluated the effects of insertion Cerium and Lanthanum in the Hydrotalcite.
► The co-precipitation was one efficient method for routine synthesis.
► La LDH (Mg7.46Al1.68La0.86 at%) was an effective precursor to MgAlLaO mixed oxide CeLDH (Mg7.28Al1.52Ce1.19 at%) just produced single oxides.