Synthesis and properties of nanocomposites in the system of potassium polytitanate - layered double hydroxide

Abstract

An experimental method to produce a new kind of functional nanocomposite materials is proposed. The synthesis involved the treatment of layered potassium polytitanate with ternary aqueous solutions of Me2+(Zn) and Me3+(Al, Cr) nitrates and K2CO3; the products were characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM and laser diffraction methods. The structure of the particles produced is formed by platy quasi-amorphous lepidocrocite-like flakes of potassium polytitanate with incrusted nanoparticles of layered double hydroxides of Zn4Cr2(OH)12CO3∙3H2O or Zn0.66Al0.34(OH)2(CO3)0.17∙H2O. The measured physico-chemical, tribological and electrical properties of the nanocomposites are discussed taking into account their potential application as antifriction and antiscuff additives of lubricating compositions or functional materials in the manufacture of electronic devices, emphasizing the influence of their structural features on the tribological and electrical properties.

Keywords

• Potassium titanate
• Layered double hydroxides
• Nanocomposites
• Synthesis
• Tribological behavior
• Electric properties