Anion capture with calcium, aluminium and iron containing layered double hydroxides

The competitive adsorption of nitrate, chloride and carbonate in layered double hydroxides (LHD) with the general formula Ca(1-x)2+Al(1-y)3+,Fe(y)3+x(OH-)2xNO3-·nH2O was investigated. Both normal ion exchange by exposure to a solution containing different anions, as well as addition of calcined material to solution thereby exploiting the memory effect of LDHs was studied. Changes in the interlayer anion changed the interlayer spacing of the LDH. The order of preference of intercalation was Cl-≈CO32->NO3-. When multiple anions were present in the exchange solution, LDHs with several distinct interlayer spacing were produced indicating that LDHs with different anions in the interlayer existed at the same time. However for extended exchange times (14 days) where high concentrations of carbonate anion were present, the layered structure was destroyed resulting in the formation of calcite, CaCO3.