On tuning architectonics of nanoscaled assemblies of Zn-Ga-Al -based oxides obtained from layered double hydroxides precursors

Nanoscaled self-assemblies with engineered architectonics are important for obtaining advanced materials with specific applications in nanotechnology. We investigated here the morphology features at the nanoscale of the assemblies of the mixed oxides obtained through the thermal transformation of Zn2+Me3+ (Me=Al/Ga) layered double hydroxides (LDHs), as their “as-synthesized” form or after they were reconstructed in the aqueous solution of Ga2(SO4)3. The characteristics of ZnMe LDHs and the derived assemblies of mixed oxides were assessed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM/EDX), N2 adsorption at −196°C and thermal analyses (TG/DTG/DSC). The results revealed the formation nanoscaled assemblies of ZnO/ZnAl2O4/ZnGa2O4 and ZnO/Ga2O3/ZnGa2O4 starting from ZnMe(Me=Al/Ga) as precursors. Results point out that both the composition of the LDHs and the calcination temperatures can be used as parameters for tuning the nanomorphology features of the studied mixed oxides.