Comparative Study of Some Layered Hydroxide Salts Containing Exchangeable Interlayer Anions

Anion-exchange reactions of layered Zn, Cu, Ni, or La hydroxide nitrates with the organic anions acetate, terephthalate, and benzoate are compared. Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and thermogravimetry combined with mass spectrometry (TG–MS) are used to characterize the materials. Exchange of the interlayer nitrate anions for these organic anions is generally possible, although no exchange is observed for the parent nickel hydroxide material. The organo derivatives obtained may be considered inorganic–organic hybrids, consisting of alternating hydroxide and A- layers, where A is the incorporated organic anion. The materials are structurally similar to the layered double hydroxide family of materials, which also exhibit an anion-exchange capacity.