SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF SOL-GEL HYDROTALCITES - STRUCTURE AND TEXTURE

Hydrotalcites, which are anionic clays, have been synthesized by the s ol-gel technique from magnesium ethoxide, aluminum tri-sec-butoxide, a nd aluminum acetylacetonate. Initially a colloidal solution is obtaine d which gels and is thermally stabilized. The local and average struct ure are studied comparing the electron microscopy results with the XRD patterns. One of the main features of these materials is the high spe cific area (around 150 m(2)/g), if compared with the natural hydrotalc ites areas.