Facile synthesis of hydrophilic layered double hydroxide film on aluminum plate

A facile synthesis method of a hydrophilic layered double hydroxide (LDH) film is required when the LDH film is used as an adsorbent, catalyst, and catalyst support in an aqueous solution. We successfully synthesized a hydrophilic film of a layered double hydroxide (LDH) on an aluminum (Al) plate at room temperature (20 °C) in a short time (120 min) by simply immersing it in a 25 mmol/L MgCl2 solution containing the optimal amount of NH3 water. The contact angle of the water was less than 5o on the obtained LDH surface of the Al plate. The surface morphology of the flower-like porous structure of the LDH film produced the hydrophilicity, because the water dropped on the porous LDH surface penetrated inside the void by capillary action. The obtained hydrophilic film on aluminum is expected to be used for various practical applications in an aqueous solution.