Structure Of Layered Double Hydroxides Research Articles

Synergistic Effect of Cobalt and Iron in Layered Double Hydroxide Catalysts for the Oxygen Evolution Reaction.

Co-based layered double hydroxide (LDH) catalysts with Fe and Al contents in the range of 15 to 45 at % were synthesized by an efficient coprecipitation method. In these catalysts, Fe3+ or Al3+ ions play an essential role as trivalent species to stabilize the LDH structure. The obtained catalysts were characterized by a comprehensive combination of surface- and bulk-sensitive techniques and were evaluated for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) on rotating disk electrodes. The OER activity decreased upon increasing the Al content for the Co- and Al-based LDH catalysts, whereas a synergistic effect in Co- and Fe-based LDHs was observed, which resulted in an optimal Fe content of 35 at %. This catalyst was spray-coated on Ni foam electrodes and showed very good stability in a flow-through cell with a potential of approximately 1.53 V at 10 mA cm-2 in 1 m KOH for at least 48 h.

Chloride ion entrapment by calcined layered double hydroxides

Purpose Magnesium-aluminum layered double hydroxides (LDH) with a platelet-like morphology were synthesized through a modified co-precipitation method. The purpose of this paper is to investigate calcined Mg-Al-CO3 LDH (CLDH) as chloride ion traps. Design/methodology/approach The morphology and chemical composition of the synthesized materials were studied through UHR-SEM, EDS, FT-IR and XRD. The chloride ion adsorption was confirmed by XRD; the characteristic diffraction peaks of the reconstructed LDH structure were revealed, similar to the one before the thermal treatment process. The effect of varying the experimental conditions on the chloride ion adsorption, such as the initial target-ion concentration, the adsorbent material dosage, the solution temperature and the solution pH was also investigated. Findings The experimental data fitting revealed that the Langmuir equation is a better model on the basis of correlation coefficients (R2) and that the pseudo-second kinetic model can satisfactorily describe the chloride ion uptake. Originality/value The ability of Mg-Al CLDH to recover their layered structure upon exposure to aqueous sodium chloride solutions with concentrations up to 0.3 M (10,636 mg/L) through the chloride adsorption and the simultaneous rehydration process is clearly demonstrated.

Superior capability of MgAl2O4 for selenite removal from contaminated groundwater during its reconstruction of layered double hydroxides

Abstract In this study, MgAl 2 O 4 (cLDHs) with a typical spinel structure was synthesized by calcination of Mg/Al layered double hydroxides (LDHs) and was used as adsorbent for selenite (IV) removal from contaminated groundwater. Based on XRD, SEM/TEM and XPS analysis, the layered structure of LDHs was completely destroyed after calcination and pure bimetal oxides with flakiness structure was obtained. Compared with Mg/Al LDHs (66.89 mg/g), MgAl 2 O 4 (cLDHs) exhibited an excellent selenite removal performance and the maximum adsorption capacity of selenite was 179.59 mg/g. The results indicated that Freundlich isotherm model is suitable to describe the adsorption equilibrium of selenite by cLDHs and the selenite adsorption also followed pseudo-second-order kinetics. Moreover, the influence solution pH and co-existed anion on the selenite by cLDHs was also investigated in detail. According all the experimental results, the removal mechanism of selenite was further discussed. Besides the surface adsorption and ion exchange by LDHs, most of selenite were removed by the intercalation into the interlayer region during the reconstruction process.

Novel synthesis of layered double hydroxides (LDHs) from zinc hydroxide

The most common synthesis methods for layered double hydroxides (LDHs) are co-precipitation and reconstruction, which can have some limitations for application. Here, we report a novel synthesis method for LDHs. We use zinc hydroxide as the precursor to synthesize LDHs phase through a simple transformation process of zinc hydroxide phase. For this transformation process, aluminum can enter into zinc hydroxide and replace zinc quickly to transform it into LDH by creating positive charges in the zinc hydroxide solid phase. The mechanism of LDH formation was through Al3+ reaction first with zinc hydroxide followed by recrystallization of the original structure of zinc hydroxide. Thus, the new process of LDH formation involves a reaction of Al to substitute for Zn and recrystallization leading to LDH and the final pH influences the crystallization of LDHs by this process. In addition, Cr3+ was employed as a trivalent cation for LDH formation to react with zinc hydroxide, which also led to LDH structure.

Active Polymer Nanocomposites: Application in Thermoplastic Polymers and in Polymer Foams

Layered double hydroxides (LDH) are very used as fillers in polymer nanocomposites research. They cannot be used in their pristine form (magnesium and aluminum hydroxycarbonates) because they exhibit strong interlayer electrostatic interactions and tight basal spacings so that they require the intercalation of organic anions into clay galleries. The organic modification of LDH increases the filler-polymer compatibility, enlarges the basal spacing of the lamellae (making easier the insertion of the polymeric chains into the gallery), and promotes the exfoliation of the filler into the polymeric matrix. Organically modified LDH/polymer nanocomposites exhibit improved mechanical, thermal, and chemical properties when they are compared with pristine polymers or conventional composites. Moreover, the incorporation of LDH allows us to obtain materials with specific functionalities. For example, the intercalation of antimicrobial molecules into LDH (such as benzoate or stearate) and the use of the modified nanoparticles as fillers results in nanocomposites with antimicrobial activity. In this paper, several benzoate and/or stearate LDH/polypropylene (PP) nanocomposites have been produced for food packaging applications. The O2 permeability coefficient of the nanocomposite named 1.5% o-benzoate/1.5% o-stearate LDH/PP/3% PP-g-MAH reduces by 20% compared to unfilled PP and 30% compared to unfilled PP/3%PP-g-MAH. It is accepted that in such a nanocomposite, the lamellar structure of LDH creates a more tortuous path for the progress of oxygen molecules reducing the gas diffusion. For the novel nanocomposite material, the physical, morphological, mechanical, and gas barrier properties have been measured and the antimicrobial effect has been evaluated. In this paper, some benzoate LDH/polyurethane foam (PU) nanocomposites have been also produced. The filler dispersion into the PU has been investigated by scanning electronic microscopy. It was observed that organic LDH particles were uniformly dispersed into the walls of cells, forming small aggregates. The morphological properties of the foam have been analyzed by nanotomography. LDH/PU nanocomposite showed antibacterial and improved mechanical properties.

New principals on the adsorption of alkyl compound by Mg–Al oxide: Adsorption kinetics and equilibrium studies

The uptake of ethylsulfate (ES−), hexylsulfate (HS−), and dodecylsulfate (DS−) anions by Mg–Al oxide in aqueous solution was examined through adsorption equilibrium and kinetic modelling. The removal of ES−, HS−, and DS− by Mg–Al oxide proceeded as diffusion-controlled reactions exhibiting Langmuir-type adsorption isotherms. The maximum amounts of adsorption are ordered as DS−>HS−>ES−. Mg–Al oxide preferentially reacts with the organic anion with lower charge density, because the effect of hydrophobic interactions in these cases is stronger than that of electrostatic interactions. In the first stage of reaction, Mg–Al oxide, which is prepared by the thermal decomposition of Mg–Al layered double hydroxides (LDHs) intercalated with CO32− (CO3·Mg–Al LDH), rehydrates and combines with alkylsulfate to reconstruct the LDH structure. Then the alkylsulfate anions intercalated in the interlayer of the LDH attracted other anions in the solution via hydrophobic interactions, thereby promoting their removal by Mg–Al oxide. DS− was removed with the highest efficiency followed by HS−, because the hydrophobic attraction between DS− anions is stronger than that between HS−, which is stronger than that between ES−. At low initial concentrations (C0), the intercalated alkylsulfates are likely oriented parallel to the brucite-like host layers of Mg–Al LDH. With increasing C0, pairs of alkyl chains in DS− and HS− may overlap due to the hydrophobic interaction, while the alkyl chains in DS− are likely arranged perpendicular to the host layers to form bilayers.

Synthesis and application of LDH intercalated cellulose nanocomposite for separation of rare earth elements (REEs)

Present study deals with the synthesis of Zn/Al Layered double hydroxide (LDH) intercalated cellulose (CL) nanocomposite. The CL-Zn/Al LDH nanocomposite was characterized by XRD, FTIR, BET, TEM and AFM. XRD analysis showed the crystalline nature of LDH nanocomposite. TEM analysis confirmed the formation of a sheet like structure of LDH. The synthesized CL-Zn/Al LDH nanocomposite was found to have a capacity of rapid uptake of Y3+, La3+ and Ce3+. Kinetic experiments revealed that equilibrium was achieved in 10min for Y3+, La3+ and Ce3+. The kinetic data was well predicted by pseudo second order with higher correlation coefficient (R2) compared to pseudo first order. The adsorption capacities of Y3+, La3+ and Ce3+ was found to be 102.25, 92.51 and 96.25mg/g, respectively, according to Langmuir model. Analysis of thermodynamic studies for Y3+, La3+ and Ce3+ showed that the process of adsorption is spontaneous and endothermic in nature. The CL-Zn/Al LDH nanocomposite revealed a good reusability up to five cycles. The CL-Zn/Al LDH showed good adsorption and selectivity for Y3+, La3+ and Ce3+ in the presence of other ions. Therefore, CL-Zn/Al LDH nanocomposite has a great potential to be used for the adsorption of Y3+, La3+ and Ce3+.

Study on structure and fluorescence of Tb-doped CaAl LDHs prepared in ethanol/water system

An important material applied in biological fluorescent detector and medical treatment is highly desired in view of the biocompatibility and fluorescent property. Here, Tb-doped CaAl-layered double hydroxides with Ca2+/(Al3+ + Tb3+) molar ratio of 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, and 4.0 have been successfully prepared in a mixed solution of ethanol and water in a reasonable proportion. Chemical compositional analyses revealed that the experimental value of Ca2+/(Al3+ + Tb3+) molar ratio present in the samples was close to the initial value of Ca2+/(Al3+ + Tb3+) molar ratio of raw reactants. In the X-ray diffraction results, it was found that the typical layered double hydroxides structure can be kept between the Ca2+/(Al3++Tb3+) molar ratio of 1.0 and 4.0. The structural type of the Tb-doped CaAl-layered double hydroxides was monoclinic form when the Tb content was less than of 3.0 %, while rhombohedral form appeared and retained as the content of Tb3+ is kept between 3.0 and 5.28 wt%. Photoluminescence shows strong green emissions attributed to 5D4-7FJ (J = 3, 4, 5, 6) transition of Tb3+ ions incorporated in the Tb-doped CaAl-layered double hydroxides. A series of Tb-doped CaAl-LDHs with different molar ratio of Ca2+/(Al3+ + Tb3+) have been synthesized by co-precipitation in a mixed ethanol/water system. Strong green emission appeared in the Tb-doped CaAl-LDH. The Tb–CaAl-LDHs may be a promising biological fluorescent material because of the biocompatibility of Ca2+ ions as well as the fluorescent property of Tb3+ ions.

Antimony Removal from Aqueous Solutions by the Use of Zn-Al Sulphate Layered Double Hydroxide

This study tested the efficacy of Zn-Al sulphate layered double hydroxides (LDH) as sorbent to remove antimony from circum-neutral solutions. Results of experimentation showed that Sb(V) in the anionic form Sb(OH)6 − can be efficiently removed from aqueous solutions through an exchange process with the SO4 2− present in the interlayer; total removal can be achieved within 6–24 h for A ≥2, where A is the ratio of the maximum theoretical anion exchange capacity (AEC) to the initial Sb concentration, both expressed in milliequivalents per liter. The complex rearrangement of the LDH structure to host Sb(OH)6 − in the interlayer is correlated to an initial fast removal of the contaminant, followed by a progressive slowing down of the exchange process. The overall speed of the process is again a direct function of A; in practice, the sorbent dose should be carefully evaluated to balance cost/efficacy/timing of the water treatment. Comparison with previous studies documenting Zn-Al sulphate LDH efficacy as arsenate and molybdate sorbent indicates a comparable affinity for As(V) and Sb(V), higher than for Mo(VI). The results of this study reinforce the possible key role of Zn-Al sulphate LDHs in water treatment for pH ranging from circum-neutral to moderately alkaline, thanks to their capability to rearrange the original structure in order to host different-sized/charged anions.

Cobalt-copper layered double hydroxide nanosheets as high performance bifunctional catalysts for rechargeable lithium-air batteries

Designing novel cost-effective catalysts is one of the greatest challenges in the development of high-performance rechargeable Li-air battery. Here, we report the synthesis of novel cobalt-copper layered double hydroxide (LDH) nanosheets via a simple co-precipitation method under Ar gas. The resulting Co-Cu LDH nanosheets, possessing an average thickness of 4.3 nm and a high surface area of 163 m2 g−1, have been applied as bifunctional catalysts for Li-air battery. In the simulated air environment, Li-air batteries with Co-Cu LDH nanosheets demonstrate higher discharge capacity of 4870 mAh g−1 at 200 mA g−1, lower charge overpotential and better cycling stability with controlling capacity of 1000 mAh g−1, which is much better than that with CuCo2O4 electrode. The enhanced electrochemical performance is ascribed to the large interface between electrolytes and catalysts resulting from high surface area of Co-Cu LDH, providing plenty of actives sites to promote the formation/decomposition of Li2O2. The unique ultrathin nanosheet structure of Co-Cu LDH can also facilitate the mass transportation of O2 and ions in Li-air battery.

Removal process of nickel(II) by using dodecyl sulfate intercalated calcium aluminum layered double hydroxide

Calcium aluminum layered double hydroxides (LDH) modified with sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) (Ca/Al-DS LDH) was prepared to investigate the unique removal mechanism of metal cations by organic calcium-contained LDHs. The as-prepared sample was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometer (ICP-AES) and elemental analysis (EA). Ni(II) was selected as the target metal cation and its removal kinetics could be well described by the pseudo-second-order kinetic model (R2=0.990). The maximum removal capacity of Ni(II) reached 2.45mol/g at the LDH dosage of 0.5gL−1. The XRD and element analysis results indicate that a new Ni/Al-DS LDH phase and CaCO3 were formed as well as a portion of Ca/Al-DS LDH remained in the final products after the removal process. Therefore, the removal of Ni(II) was contributed to the surface complexation, isomorphic substitution and sorption on the CaCO3. The pillared interlayer organic anions might help to keep the layered structure of LDH. This study revealed the multi-interaction mechanism of metal ions with Ca/Al LDH and proposed a novel strategy to generate organic intercalated LDHs by isomorphic substitution.

Folate‐intercalated layered double hydroxide as a vehicle for cyclophosphamide, a non‐ionic anti‐cancer drug

Layered double hydroxides (LDH) are matrices with interlayer anions that can be exchanged with several types of organic or inorganic anions. Due to the anion-exchange capability, hundreds of new materials have been prepared in the past two decades. Conversely, attempts to intercalate neutral molecules (and increase the range of applications) have been achieved by expanding the interlayer space with long-chain surfactants, thus allowing to exclusively retain highly hydrophobic molecules. This work describes a folate-intercalated LDH structure, where folate pillars are capable of forming both hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions with neutral molecules. Infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction data indicated that imidazole, urea and cyclophosphamide were successfully intercalated. This evidence increases the opportunity to prepare more novel materials with neutral molecules in LDH. The cyclophosphamide-LDH product here obtained represents a remarkable example of an LDH-based vehicle for a non-ionic anti-cancer drug used in current chemotherapies.

Study on structure and photoluminescence of Tb-doped ZnAl–NO3 layered double hydroxides prepared by co-precipitation

Tb-doped ZnAl–NO3 layered double hydroxides (LDHs), with Zn2+/(Al3++Tb3+) molar ratio of 1.3, 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0, were prepared by co-precipitation and investigated by various characterization. The compositional analysis reveals that the chemical composition of the Tb-doped LDHs is in agreement with that of the raw materials. XRD patterns show that all the samples present a single phase corresponding to hexagonal structure of LDHs. Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) exhibits characteristic bands attributed to –OH and NO3− groups as well as metal–oxygen vibration. Photoluminescence suggests the characteristic emissions ascribed to 5D4–7FJ (J = 3, 4, 5, 6) transitions, indicating the permission of 5D4–7FJ transitions for Tb3+ ions in the ZnAl–NO3-LDHs system. The ratio of (5D4–7F5)/(5D4–7F6) emission intensity, which is highly hypersensitive to Tb3+ surroundings, increases with increasing molar ratio of Zn2+/(Al3++Tb3+). These results confirm the formation of the Tb-doped ZnAl–NO3 layered double hydroxides with luminescent property.

Effect of Silane Coupling Agent Surface Modified Layered Double Hydroxides on Properties of Bitumen

Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) surface modified by silane coupling agent KH550 were prepared to modify bitumen, the surface modified LDHs (KH550-LDHs) were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD). The effect of KH550-LDHs and LDHs on physical and anti-ageing properties of bitumen was evaluated by means of physical test. The results of FTIR showed that KH550 had successfully grafts onto the surface of LDHs, and XRD result showed that KH550 had little effect on the crystal structure of LDHs. The storage stability test showed that KH550-LDHs dispersed better homogeneously and existed more stable than LDHs in bitumen. The physical properties tests indicated that high and low temperature properties of bitumen were improved compared with LDHs. After UV aging with the addition of KH550-LDHs, the increase rate of softening point slowed remarkably, the reduction rate of ductility declined evidently compared with LDHs. Aging indices (softening point increment and ductility retention rate) show that KH550-LDHs exhibited better improvement than LDHs in UV aging resistance of bitumen, implying more effective modification of KH550-LDHs which is due to the enhanced compatibility between KH550-LDHs and bitumen.

Defluoridation of groundwater by calcined Mg/Al layered double hydroxide

Abstract The present study evaluated calcined Mg/Al layered double hydroxide (CLDH) availability for the removal of fluoride from local groundwaters. The Mg/Al layered double hydroxide (LDH) was synthesized by co-precipitation method and characterized by XRD, FT-IR and TGA-TDA analyses. Batch defluoridation experiments were performed under various conditions such as calcination, solution pH, contact time, temperature, material dosage and reuse. Experimental results indicate that fluoride removal strongly increased after calcination of the LDH up to 600 °C. The maximum fluoride removal was obtained at solution pH of 6.85. Kinetics of fluoride removal followed the pseudo-second order kinetic model. The rise in solution temperature strongly enhances the removal efficiency. The adsorption mechanism involved surface adsorption, ion exchange interaction and original LDH structure reconstruction by rehydration of mixed metal oxides and concomitant intercalation of fluoride ions into the interlayer region. The optimum dosages required to meet the national standard for drinking water quality were found to be 0.29 and 0.8 g/L, respectively, for Bejaad and Settat goundwaters. A decrease in the fluoride uptake with increasing the number of regeneration cycles was observed.

Combination of Mn oxidation states improves the photocatalytic degradation of phenol with ZnAl LDH materials without a source of O2 in the reaction system

Mn-doped Zn/Al layered double hydroxides (LDH) materials were synthesized by the co-precipitation method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed the polytype structure of LDH materials obtained as well as the successful incorporation of Mn into the structure. Atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) studies showed a well dispersion of Mn and a good correlation between the nominal and experimental composition. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed the formation of grains close to 1μm length. Energy band gap (Eg) of the solids determined by UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) showed high photoresponse in the ultraviolet (UV) region, which was increased with Mn incorporation into the LDH structure. The LDH materials were evaluated in the photocatalytic degradation of phenol in aqueous medium, under UV radiation with and without O2 source in the reaction system. The results showed that the O2 is not an effective electron scavenger as usually occurs in TiO2 photocatalyst. The Mn effect in the photocatalytic activity was notably marked in anaerobic condition however in aerobic or anaerobic conditions the presence of Mn increases the photoactivity. The phenol mineralization reached in anaerobic conditions was 95% (1.5ppm) of the initial concentration (30ppm) and it is maintained constant after 6h of radiation while in aerobic conditions the TOC reaches only 55% (13.5ppm). The role of Mn as charges separator is discussed and a suitable mechanism is proposed. This study shows that the Mn doped-Zn/Al LDH materials could be a promising photocatalysts under anaerobic conditions for the removal of phenol from aqueous medium.

Design and development of an in situ synthesized layered double hydroxide structure of Fe-induced hydroxyapatite for drug carriers

Possible mechanisms: (i) formation of LDH structure of Fe-induced hydroxyapatite (HA), (ii) intercalation of Aceclofenac (AF) drug in LDH structure of FH carriers and (iii) releasing of drug via hydrolysis and/or reaction with other biomolecules.

Cellulose biotemplates for layered double hydroxides networks

Synthesis of porous network structures of layered double hydroxides (LDH) has been studied using microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) as a hard template. LDH was synthesized using cellulose as biotemplate and post treated by microwave hydrothermal treatment (MWHT). The prepared LDHs were thoroughly characterized by Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray Diffraction (XRD) studies, and Thermogravimetric (TGA) analysis, which proved the formation of LDH structure in the presence and absence of MCC as templates. The morphological structures of the composite materials were analyzed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), which showed that the LDH formed in the presence of cellulose had porous network structures, while LDH particles synthesized in the absence of the MCC exhibited a hexagonal platelet-like morphology. Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) measurements confirmed the presence of essential elements in the particles. TEM showed the fibrillar nature and size reduction of the particles. The surface area of the material was measured by Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analysis, exhibiting a twofold increase in surface area and increased specific pore volume in comparison with particles synthesized in absence of cellulose and thus showcasing the potential of MCC as templates for production of porous LDH with high surface area (152 m2/g). Further, the adsorption capacities of the materials were evaluated with orange II dye.

M-Al-SO4 layered double hydroxides (M=Zn, Mg or Ni): synthesis, characterization and textile dyes removal efficiency

Mg–Al, Zn–Al, and Ni–Al layered double hydroxides (LDH) materials with molar ratio (M2+/Al3+) of 3 were synthesized via co-precipitation method. The as-synthesized samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and simultaneous thermogravimetric–differential thermal analysis (TGA/DTA). XRD analyses showed that Zn–Al-SO4 had the greatest lattices parameters followed by Mg–Al-SO4 and Ni–Al-SO4. FTIR confirmed clearly the presence of sulfate anions in the structure of LDHs with the presence of carbonate impurity in the interlayer. TGA/DTA analysis indicates a better thermal stability of Zn–Al-SO4 vs. Ni–Al-SO4 and Mg–Al-SO4. The capability of the materials for textile dye removal was investigated using methyl orange (MO) as a model dye and an industrial textile effluent. Experimental results showed that pH is the most affecting factor in dye removal. The effective pH range for dye removal was between 3.5 and 5. The adsorption process can be well described by the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The Langmuir model fit equilibrium data with exceptional maximum adsorption capacities for MO of 2,758, 1,622, and 800 mg/g, respectively, in the case of Zn–Al-SO4, Mg–Al-SO4, and Ni–Al-SO4. Color and chemical oxygen demand (COD) reduction from industrial textile effluent increased with the increase in the amount of LDHs. The optimum color and COD reduction were obtained by Zn–Al-SO4.

Intercalation of Norfloxacin into Layered Double Hydroxides by Delamination/Restacking Process and its Controlled-Release Property

Norfloxacin (NFX)-layered double hydroxide (LDH) intercalated nanocomposite was synthesized by delamination/restacking process. In this method, LDH particles were first delaminated to well-dispersed two-dimensional nanosheets in formamide, and then the LDH nanosheets and NFX anions co-assembled into NFX-LDH nanocomposite. Characterization by powder x-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and thermogravimetry revealed that the product had an expanded LDH structure. This finding indicated that NFX was successfully intercalated into LDH layers, and NFX had both horizontal and vertical orientation in the interlayers of NFX-LDH nanocomposite. Additionally, the delamination/restacking method displayed various remarkable advantages such as simple procedure, short reaction time, and mild conditions compared with the conventional methods of ion exchange, co-precipitation, and reconstruction. Results further showed that the thermal stability of NFX greatly improved after intercalation into LDH layers and that NFX release of the NFX-LDH nanocomposite was gradual, suggesting potential use as an effective drug delivery system.