Synthesis of colloidal dispersions of NiAl, ZnAl, NiCr, ZnCr, NiFe, and MgFe hydrotalcite-like nanoparticles

Colloidal aqueous dispersions of nanometric NiAl, ZnAl, NiCr, ZnCr, NiFe, and MgFe hydrotalcite-like compounds were prepared in a water/cetyltrimethylammonium bromide/n-butanol/isooctane microemulsion. Particle sizes were analyzed with different techniques, and the results confirm dimensions between 10 and 30 nm, except for ZnAl-HTlc (150-200 nm). A good colloidal stability of HTlc-NPs aqueous dispersions, investigated with DLS and Pz measurements, was obtained without the need for any stabilizing agent. SEM images clearly showed that the obtained HTlc posses a high tendency to spontaneously form homogeneous and dense stacking of plate-like HTlc crystals directly from aqueous solution, giving rise to the developing of functional materials in optical, electrical and magnetic fields. (C) 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.