Sol-gel synthesis and characterization of coatings of Mg-Al layered double hydroxides

In this study, new synthetic approaches for the preparation of thin films of Mg-Al layered double hydroxides (LDHs) have been developed. The LDHs were fabricated by reconstruction of mixed-metal oxides (MMOs) in deionized water. The MMOs were obtained by calcination of the precursor gels. Thin films of sol-gel-derived Mg-Al LDHs were deposited on silicon and stainless-steel substrates using the dip-coating technique by a single dipping process, and the deposited film was dried before the new layer was added. Each layer in the preparation of the Mg-Al LDH multilayers was separately annealed at 70 degrees C or 300 degrees C in air. Fabricated Mg-Al LDH coatings were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). It was discovered that the diffraction lines of Mg3Al LDH thin films are sharper and more intensive in the sample obtained on the silicon substrate, confirming a higher crystallinity of synthesized Mg3Al LDH. However, in both cases the single-phase crystalline Mg-Al LDHs have formed. To enhance the sol-gel processing, the viscosity of the precursor gel was increased by adding polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) solution. The LDH coatings could be used to protect different substrates from corrosion, as catalyst supports, and as drug-delivery systems in medicine.