Synthesis and Physico-Chemical Properties of Zinc Layered Hydroxide-3-4-Dichlorohenoxy Acetic Acid (ZLH34D) Nanocomposite

A herbicide, 3,4-Dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (34D) was successfully intercalated into the zinc layered hydroxide (ZLH) by direct reaction with zinc oxide (ZnO) to form a new organic-inorganic zinc layered hydroxide-3,4-Dichlorophenoxy acetate (Z34D) under an aqueous environment. The pH of the solution was adjusted to 7.5 using 2 M sodium hydroxide (NaOH). The pure phase and well-ordered was synthesized at 0.3 M Z34D. PXRD patterns show well-ordered nanohybrid material with basal spacing at 26.1 Å. The percentage loading of 34D in the Z34D is 57.5 % (w/w) calculated based on the percentage of carbon in the sample. FESEM shows the ZnO precursor has very fine granular structure and transformed into agglomerate structure when the nanohybrid are formed. This work shows that the nanohybrid of Z34D can be synthesized using simple, direct-reaction method.