New nanocomposite hydrogels containing layered double hydroxide

Novel nanocomposite hydrogels were prepared with agarose, which is an uncharged biopolymer, and delaminated lactate-containing layered double hydroxide (lactate-LDH). An aqueous colloidal dispersion of delaminated lactate-LDH was added to a hot aqueous solution of agarose at various agarose/LDH ratios. The mixtures were gelled by cooling to room temperature. The gels were frozen in liquid nitrogen, freeze dried, and observed with a field emission scanning electron microscope. Nanoscale dispersion of the lactate-LDH nanoplates in the polymer network was confirmed.

Research Highlights
► Novel nanocomposite hydrogels were prepared with agarose and delaminated LDH.
► Nanoscale dispersion of LDH nanoplates in the polymer network was confirmed.
► A polymer network with interstitial spaces was preserved in the hybrid gels.