Mg/Al layered double hydroxide-Pt nanoparticle composite by delamination-restacking route

Platinum nanoparticle intercalated magnesium–aluminum layered double hydroxide (LDH) composite was prepared by restacking the colloidal dispersion of organically modified LDH in the presence of preformed oleylamine capped platinum nanoparticles in n-butanol. The resultant nanocomposite was characterized using powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), infrared (IR) spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), selected area electron diffraction and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The PXRD pattern of the composite indicates an expanded interlayer due to the intercalation of the Pt-nanoparticles into the LDH interlayer region. PXRD patterns along with the IR spectra confirm the formation of the precursors and the composite. TEM image of Pt-nanoparticles shows spherical particles with an average particle size of ~3 nm and that of the composite shows dispersed Pt-nanoparticles on the LDH matrix. The presence of Pt, Mg and Al in the composite is indicated in the EDX data.