LDH and TiO2/LDH-type nanocomposite systems: A systematic study on structural characteristics

• Detailed characterization of TiO2 (anatase)/LDH-type nanocomposites.
• Structural and textural features were varied by the modification of the LDH sheets.
• Increased compactness on the TiO2/LDH nanocomposites in comparison with parent sample.
• Accommodation of the TiO2 seeds within the mesopores together with a surface coating.
• SAXS suggest the rearrangement of the LDH layers during the nanocomposite formation.

The work reported involves a detailed characterization study on a series of nanocomposite systems comprising layered double hydroxides and TiO2 seeds with anatase crystal structure. The TiO2/LDH nanocomposite structural and textural features were varied by the isomorphous substitution within the LDH sheets network of the divalent cations (Zn2+ by Cu2+) and the trivalent cations (Al3+ by Fe3+ or Ti4+) respectively. In depth characterization was obtained by using a combination of XRD, N2 sorption, SEM, TEM/EDX and SAXS characterization techniques in order to maximize the structural information of the parent and modified LDH materials. An increase material compactness on the TiO2/LDH nanocomposites was observed due to the accommodation of the TiO2 seeds within the mesopores together with a surface coating. SAXS observations indicated the modification of the morphology of the parent LDH samples by the addition of the TiO2 seeds suggesting the rearrangement of the LDH layers during the nanocomposite formation.

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