Controlling of morphology of Ni/Al-LDHs using microemulsion-mediated hydrothermal synthesis

A quaternary microemulsion, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB)/water/n-hexane/n-hexanol, was selected for the synthesis of Ni/Al-layered double hydroxides (LDHs). Ni/Al-LDHs with nanowire-, spherical-, rod- and tube-like morphologies were prepared via the microemulsion-mediated hydrothermal synthesis. The CTAB concentration played an important role in determining the morphology of Ni/Al-LDHs. The structure, composition and morphology of the obtained Ni/Al-LDH nanostructures were investigated by X-ray diffraction, inductively coupled plasma emission spectroscopy, infrared spectrometer and transmission electron microscopy. A possible formation mechanism of Ni/Al-LDH nanostructures is proposed.