Nanocomposite materials: polyaniline-intercalated layered double hydroxides

Abstract

Open lamellar systems such as layered double hydroxides (LDHs) can be used to generate new intercalation compounds. We report the synthesis of nanocomposite materials consisting of organopolymer molecules encapsulated between ultra-thin mixed-metal hydroxide sheets which are propped apart by spacers [terephthalate or hexacyanoferrate(II) ions acting as pillars]. The oxidising host matrixes [Cu_{(1 –x)}²⁺Cr_x³⁺(OH)₂]·[(C₆H₄-1,4-(CO₂)₂)_x/2^2–·nH₂O] and [Cu_{(1 –x)}²⁺Al_x³⁺(OH)₂]·[(Fe(CN)₆)_x/4^4–·nH₂O] were used as hosts for the interlamellar oxidative polymerisation of aniline. The materials were prepared using chimie douce pathways and characterised by conventional physical techniques (XRD, FTIR, TG, DTA), which indicated the presence of polyaniline molecules and the retention of the host framework after incorporation of the organopolymer.