Synthesis, Characterization and Exchange Reactions of Layered Double Hydroxides of Copper and Aluminum, Intercalated with Sulfate

Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) of Cu:Al in the molar ratio of 2:1, intercalated with sulfate, sulfate/(Li+, Na+, K+ or NH4+), NO3- and CO32-, were synthesized by co-precipitation with increasing pH. The materials were submitted to exchange reactions using B2SO4 (B = Li+, Na+, K+, NH4+) solutions in an attempt to replace previously intercalated cations or incorporated cations without removing intercalated sulfate. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra were consistent with the expected intercalated species and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images indicated submicrometric platelet-like particles, typical of LDHs. The chemical compositions of all phases were confirmed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP OES) and thermogravimetric analyses (TGA). In the exchange reactions, only in [Cu6Al3(OH)18][Na(H2O)6(SO4)2]·6H2O the sodium cations were almost totally replaced with lithium, potassium and ammonium, without removing the intercalated sulfate.