Mechano-Hydrothermal Synthesis of Tetraborate Pillared Li–Al Layered Double Hydroxides

Tetraborate pillared Li–Al layered double hydroxide was synthesized for the first time by a mechano-hydrothermal process in which gibbsite (Al(OH) 3 ) sample was first activated by a ball milling, followed by hydrothermal treatment with Li 2 B 4 O 7 in water at 95°C. Activation of gibbsite Al(OH) 3 induced by mechanochemical process was essential for the formation of thin disk-like Li–Al LDH intercalated with borate anion. When in excess the activated Al(OH) 3 was transformed into bayerite phase during the hydrothermal process.