The Intercalation Behaviour and Physico-Chemical Characterisation of Novel Intercalated Nanocomposite from Zinc/Aluminium Layered Double Hydroxides and Broadleaf Herbicide Clopyralid

This study reports on the preparation of novel zinc/aluminium layered double hydroxide intercalated clopyralid (Zn/Al-LDH-CP) nanocomposites fabricated via co-precipitation. An expansion of the interlayer gallery of Zn/Al-LDH for the accommodation of clopyralid was observed from the powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) pattern, confirming the occurrence of intercalation. The results from Fourier transform infrared and elemental analysis were consistent with those from PXRD, thus supporting the intercalation of clopyralid. The thermal studies showed that the nanocomposite had better thermal stability compared to pristine clopyralid. Based on these data, the chemical formula of the nanocomposite was proposed as [Zn0.75Al0.25(OH)2][C5H2Cl2NCOO]0.250.67H2O, and the percentage loading of clopyralid in the interlayer gallery of Zn/Al-LDH was calculated to be 25.39 %. These characterisation results indicate a very promising future for this novel Zn/Al-LDH-CP nanocomposite.