Evidences for decarbonation and exfoliation of layered double hydroxide in N,N-dimethylformamide-ethanol solvent mixture

The behavior of a Hydrotalcite-like material (carbonate-containing Mg,Al-layered double hydroxide) in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF)-ethanol mixture, at ambient temperature, has been investigated. The releasing of CO2 and production of a formate-containing material occurred mainly for 1:1 (v/v) solvent mixture. Decarbonation of Hydrotalcite is promoted by DMF hydrolysis followed by neutralization of brucite-like layers through HCOO- intercalation. Translucent colloidal dispersion of LDH nanoparticles from the formate-containing phase was characterized by transmission electron (TEM) and atomic force (AFM) microscopies. The absence of (00l) reflection at X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern for dried colloidal dispersion indicated delamination of Hydrotalcite. The restacked sample exhibited broad reflections and typical hydroxide ordered layers non-basal (110) diffraction peaks. A LDH-HCOO- material was also prepared and characterized by FTIR and FT-Raman spectroscopies. Decarbonation and exfoliation of Hydrotalcite in N,N-dimethylformamide-ethanol mixed solvent provide an interesting method for preparation of new intercalated LDH materials. - Graphical abstract: Hydrotalcite suspended in 1:1 (v/v) N,N-dimethylformamide-ethanol solvent mixture, at ambient temperature, undergoes decarbonation and exfoliation. The process is promoted by DMF hydrolysis. Restacking of LDH layers is achieved by evaporating the solvent