Synthesis of magnesium–aluminum layered double hydroxide intercalated with ethylene glycol by the aid of alkoxides

Ethylene glycol (EG) intercalated magnesium–aluminum layered double hydroxide (LDH) was synthesized via ion exchange method under mild conditions by the aid of alkoxides. Nitrate LDH and EG were used as precursor and solvent, respectively, and alkoxides including sodium methoxide, sodium ethoxide and potassium tert-butoxide were used to facilitate the deprotonation of EG. It is found that potassium tert-butoxide shows superior promotion effect due to its strong ability to capture proton. The effects of synthesis temperature and time on EG intercalated LDH were investigated. EG intercalated LDH can be synthesized at 80 °C for 12 h or at 120 °C for 6 h. The characterization results of XRD, TG–DSC, FT-IR, elemental analysis, 13C NMR and Hammett indicator and benzene carboxylic acid titration confirm the successful intercalation of EG in LDH.