In situ study os small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) in nanostructured layered double hydroxides (LHDs).

• Grant number: 24/17433-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: November 01, 2024
• End date: October 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Physics - Condensed Matter Physics
• Principal Investigator: Danilo Mustafa
• Grantee: Natan Felipe Netzlaff Fachini
• Host Institution: Instituto de Física (IF). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 22/01314-8 - Study of layered double hydroxide (LDH) as potential bifunctional photocatalyst, AP.R

Abstract

Exploring the versatility of Layered Double Hydroxides (LDHs) may result in obtaining this class of materials with promising properties in areas such as catalysis, controlled drug release, pollutant removal, etc. The small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) technique is rarely used to investigate the general morphology of LDHs, since these materials generally have the same flat morphology. On the other hand, it has been demonstrated that the use of the polymer Pluronic® P123 (BASF) promotes the formation of worm-like surfactant micelles, which induce the formation of LDH nanotubes. In this new nanostructured system, the use of SAXS may represent a powerful tool mainly to understand how these structures are formed. Furthermore, in situ SAXS measurements on LDHs may help to improve their synthesis, providing insights into the reaction kinetics involved, an aspect not yet explored considering the nanotubular morphology of LDHs. Thus, this work proposes the study of in situ SAXS measurements as an essential method to understand and control the morphology and formation of these materials.