Physical-Chemical Exfoliation of n-Alkylamine Derivatives of Layered Perovskite-like Oxide H2K0.5Bi2.5Ti4O13 into Nanosheets

In the present work, we report the results on exfoliation and coating formation of inorganic–organic hybrids based on the layered perovskite-like bismuth titanate H₂K_0.5Bi_2.5Ti₄O₁₃·H₂O that could be prepared by a simple ion exchange reaction from a Ruddlesden–Popper phase K_2.5Bi_2.5Ti₄O₁₃. The inorganic–organic hybrids were synthesized by intercalation reactions. Exfoliation into nanosheets was performed for the starting hydrated protonated titanate and for the derivatives intercalated by n-alkylamines to study the influence of preliminary intercalation on exfoliation efficiency. The selected precursors were exfoliated in aqueous solutions of tetrabutylammonium hydroxide using facile stirring and ultrasonication. The suspensions of nanosheets obtained were characterized using UV–vis spectrophotometry, dynamic light scattering, inductively coupled plasma spectroscopy, and gravimetry. Nanosheets were coated on preliminarily polyethyleneimine-covered Si substrates using a self-assembly procedure and studied using atomic force and scanning electron microscopy.

NMR Study of Intercalates and Grafted Organic Derivatives of H2La2Ti3O10

The protonated perovskite-like titanate H2La2Ti3O10 has been used to produce organic-inorganic hybrids with simple organic molecules: methylamine, methanol, monoethanolamine, and n-butylamine. The optimal pathways for the preparation of such hybrids are summarized. Solid-state NMR, combined with thermal analysis, Raman, and IR spectroscopy, has been applied to determine the bonding type in the obtained organic-inorganic hybrids. It has been found that, in the methanolic hybrid, the organic residues are covalently bound to the inorganic matrix. In contrast, in the methylamine and n-butylamine hybrids, the organic molecules are intercalated into the inorganic matrix in cationic forms. The structure of the monoethanolamine hybrid is composite and includes both the covalently bound and intercalated organic species.

Microwave-assisted routes for rapid and efficient modification of layered perovskites

Recent advances in exploiting microwave radiation in the topochemical modification of layered oxide perovskites are presented. Such methods work well for rapid bulk synthetic steps used in the production of novel inorganic-organic hybrids (protonation, grafting, intercalation, and in situ click reactions), exfoliation to produce dispersed nanosheets, and post-exfoliation processing to rapidly vary nanosheet surface groups. Compared to traditional methods that often take days, microwave methods can produce quality products in as little as 1-2 h.