Abstract

A new preparation method for organic–inorganic nanohybrids has been developed by the reaction of Zn(OH)₂ with various carboxylic acids. The resulting layered structures are similar to the reaction products of Zn(OH)₂ or layered double hydroxides (LDHs) with acyl chlorides. The interlayer spacings of the reaction products of Zn(OH)₂ with straight chain monocarboxylic acids were in the range 1.19–4.33 nm, and with dicarboxylic acids were 0.71–1.48 nm. These values depended on the length of the organic compounds and the number of carboxyl groups. IR spectra showed new peaks due to the RCOO–Zn vibration at ca. 1400 and 1550 cm⁻¹ indicating that the hydroxy groups had reacted with the carboxylic acids. SEM images of the reaction products of Zn(OH)₂ with carboxylic acids showed that they were of plate-like morphology similar to the LDHs. On the other hand, the morphology of the reaction products of Zn(OH)₂ with bulky carboxylic acids were fibrous, although they also had layered structures.