Synthesis and characterisation of exfoliated layered double hydroxide (LDH)/sugar nanocomposites

In this study the preparation of layered double hydroxide (LDH)/sugar nanocomposites using an exfoliated MgAl-lactate LDH (Mg: Al = 3:1) and a sugar (sucrose and maltose) as precursors is described. The products have been characterised by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The properties of the composite materials have been further studied using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The expanded interlayer spacing of the lactate LDH suggests the intercalation of lactate ions within the gallery region. Stirring of the MgAl-lactate LDH in water for 24 hours at room temperature resulted in a clear colloidal dispersion. Upon solvent evaporation, the resulting material consisted of a disorganized restacked LDH phase. The most significant evidence for the formation of nanocomposites from the exfoliated clay materials is suggested by the absence of reflections associated with the LDH in the PXRD patterns. DSC results suggest that the glass transition temperatures of the composite materials with 5%, 10% and 20% LDH loading are superior to the parent maltose. Therefore, the LDH nanolayers give the LDH filled sugar nanocomposites better thermal stability than the pristine sugar, thus these composites could be used as drug excipients in the pharmaceutical industry.