Pamoate intercalated Zn-Al layered double hydroxide for the formation of layered organic-inorganic intercalate

A layered organic-inorganic intercalate was prepared by the self-assembly technique using pamoate (PA) as an organic guest in the Zn-Al layered double hydroxide inorganic host (ZAPAN). Various concentrations of PA, ranging from 0.01 to 0.04 M, were used to prepare the intercalated compound with a constant 4:1 ratio of Zn:Al in the mother liquor. The concentration of PA of 0.02 M at pH 7 was found to give a well-ordered nanolayered organic-inorganic hybrid structure. As a result of successful intercalation of PA anion into the Zn-Al inorganic layered double hydroxide (LDH), the expansion of interlayer spacing to 18 Å was observed in the PXRD diffractogram of the intercalated compound, compared to 9 Å for the Zn-Al LDH with nitrate as the counter anion (ZANIL). FTIR study shows that the intercalated compound resembled the spectra of PA and ZANIL, thus indicating the presence of both functional groups in ZAPAN. It was also found that the BET surface area increased from 6 m/g to 90 m/g for ZANIL and ZAPAN, respectively. The pore texture of the resulting materials was also changed as the result of the intercalation and the expansion of the basal spacing together with pore formation between the crystallite during the formation of the resulting layered intercalated compound.