Effect of post-synthesis microwave–hydrothermal treatment on the properties of layered double hydroxides and related materials

The effect of microwave–hydrothermal treatment (MWHT) on the properties of Mg,Al-layered double hydroxides with the hydrotalcite-like structure intercalated with carbonate and organic anions (terephthalate, adipate and dodecyl sulphate) and on their thermal decomposition products is studied. All solids have been characterised by element chemical analysis, powder X-ray diffraction, FT-IR spectroscopy, thermal analysis, transmission electron microscopy, specific surface area determination by N2 adsorption at − 196 °C and particle size distribution. The MWHT yielded a larger improvement of the crystallinity for carbonate-containing samples than for the organic-intercalated ones; however, although the crystallinity is not greatly modified for the latter, the thermal properties and particle size distribution are significantly affected by the ageing treatment.