Novel hybrid materials obtained by intercalation of organic comb polymers into Ca–Al–LDH Original Research Article

Rehydration of tricalcium aluminate in aqueous solutions of “comb-like” polycarboxylate copolymers produces novel inorganic–organic hybrid materials with layered structure. Interlayer distance between the [Ca2Al(OH)6]+ main layers is determined by the length of the poly(ethylene oxide) graft chains of the comb polymers. Thus, the polymer acts as a template in the stacking process of the inorganic layers. The ability of the polycarboxylates to intercalate decreases sharply when the number of ethylene oxide units in the side chain exceeds 100. Composition of the Ca–Al–polycarboxylate(PC)–layered double hydroxide (LDH) nanocomposites was confirmed by XRD, elemental analysis, IR spectra, thermogravimetry and TEM pictures.