<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><!DOCTYPE article  PUBLIC "-//NLM//DTD Journal Publishing DTD v3.0 20080202//EN" "http://dtd.nlm.nih.gov/publishing/3.0/journalpublishing3.dtd"><article xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" dtd-version="3.0" xml:lang="en" article-type="research article"><front><journal-meta><journal-id journal-id-type="publisher-id">NR</journal-id><journal-title-group><journal-title>Natural Resources</journal-title></journal-title-group><issn pub-type="epub">2158-706X</issn><publisher><publisher-name>Scientific Research Publishing</publisher-name></publisher></journal-meta><article-meta><article-id pub-id-type="doi">10.4236/nr.2017.86029</article-id><article-id pub-id-type="publisher-id">NR-77247</article-id><article-categories><subj-group subj-group-type="heading"><subject>Articles</subject></subj-group><subj-group subj-group-type="Discipline-v2"><subject>Earth&amp;Environmental Sciences</subject></subj-group></article-categories><title-group><article-title>
 
 
  Synthesis and Characterization of a [Li&lt;sub&gt;0+x&lt;/sub&gt;Mg&lt;sub&gt;2-2x&lt;/sub&gt;Al&lt;sub&gt;1+x&lt;/sub&gt;(OH)&lt;sub&gt;6&lt;/sub&gt;][Cl&amp;middot;mH&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;O] Solid Solution with X = 0 - 1 at Different Temperatures
 
</article-title></title-group><contrib-group><contrib contrib-type="author" xlink:type="simple"><name name-style="western"><surname>A.</surname><given-names>Niksch</given-names></name><xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff1"><sup>1</sup></xref></contrib><contrib contrib-type="author" xlink:type="simple"><name name-style="western"><surname>H.</surname><given-names>Pöllmann</given-names></name><xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff1"><sup>1</sup></xref></contrib></contrib-group><aff id="aff1"><addr-line>Mineralogy/Geochemistry, Institute for Geosciences and Geography, University of Halle, Halle, Germany</addr-line></aff><pub-date pub-type="epub"><day>13</day><month>06</month><year>2017</year></pub-date><volume>08</volume><issue>06</issue><fpage>445</fpage><lpage>459</lpage><history><date date-type="received"><day>March</day>	<month>16,</month>	<year>2017</year></date><date date-type="rev-recd"><day>Accepted:</day>	<month>June</month>	<year>25,</year>	</date><date date-type="accepted"><day>June</day>	<month>28,</month>	<year>2017</year></date></history><permissions><copyright-statement>&#169; Copyright  2014 by authors and Scientific Research Publishing Inc. </copyright-statement><copyright-year>2014</copyright-year><license><license-p>This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution International License (CC BY). http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/</license-p></license></permissions><abstract><p>
 
 
  The synthesis of a novel Li
  <sup>+</sup> /Mg
  <sup>2+</sup> /Al
  <sup>3+</sup> containing layered double hydroxide (LDH) by using a hydrothermal synthesis route is represented in this work. The autoclaves were heated up to 100
  <sup>o</sup>C, 120
  <sup>o</sup>C, 140
  <sup>o</sup>C and 160
  <sup>o</sup>C for 10 h and 48 h with a water to solid ratio (W/S) of 15:1. The physicochemical properties of the synthesized LDHs were investigated by X-ray powder diffraction (PXRD), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermo gravimetric and differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA), inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The formation of a solid solution phase depends strongly on the composition of the reactants and the synthesis temperature. Using an exact stoichiometric ratio of Li
  <sup>+</sup>/Mg
  <sup>2+</sup>/Al
  <sup>3+</sup> resulted in the synthesis of amorphous phases without producing plenty of crystalline amounts of the expected solid solutions while using higher temperatures than 140
  <sup>o</sup>C resulted in a formation of AlO(OH). To avoid the formation of an Al containing amorphous phase or an AlO(OH) crystalline phase, the stoichiometric ratio of Li+ was changed. The results show solid solutions with the formula 
  [Li<sub>0+x</sub>Mg<sub>2-2x</sub>Al<sub>1+x</sub>(OH)<sub>6</sub>][Cl<sup>.</sup>mH<sub>2</sub>O] with X ≥ 0.9. The lattice parameters and chemical compositions for solid solutions with different compositions were determined and the pure solid solution with the highest amount of Mg (x = 0.9) is [Li0.9Mg0.2Al1.9(OH)6] [Cl
  <sup>.</sup>0.50H2O] with the lattice parameters a = 5.1004(4) 
  &amp;Aring;, c = 15.3512(1) 
  &amp;Aring;, V = 345.844(9) 
  &amp;Aring;3. For X &lt; 0.9 two separate phases, a Mg
  <sup>2+</sup> and a Li
  <sup>+</sup> dominated solid solution, are coexistent.
 
</p></abstract><kwd-group><kwd>Lithium LDH</kwd><kwd> Magnesium LDH</kwd><kwd> Solid Solution</kwd><kwd> X-Ray Powder Diffraction</kwd></kwd-group></article-meta></front><body><sec id="s1"><title>1. Introduction</title><p>Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) consist of alternate positively charged mixed metal hydroxide layers and negative charged interlayer anions. The stoichiometry of these materials can be formulated as [M<sup>z+</sup><sub>1−x</sub>M<sup>3+</sup><sub>x</sub>(OH)<sub>2</sub>]<sup>p+</sup>[(A<sup>n−</sup>)<sub>p/n</sub>·mH<sub>2</sub>O] with z = 2, M = bi- and trivalent metallic elements, A = organic or inorganic anions and m = amount of interlayer H<sub>2</sub>O depending on the temperature, relative humidity and hydration level [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.77247-ref1">1</xref>] . A special case is M<sup>z</sup><sup>+</sup> = Li<sup>+</sup>(z = 1) and M<sup>3+</sup> = Al<sup>3+</sup>. The ratio between Li and Al is always 1:2 [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.77247-ref2">2</xref>] while the ratio between M<sup>z</sup><sup>+</sup> and M<sup>3+</sup> (z = 2) can vary strongly [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.77247-ref3">3</xref>] depending on which M<sup>2+</sup> ion or synthesis parameters are used. These layered materials are able to intercalate negatively charged and neutral molecules or exchange the interlayer anion with organic [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.77247-ref4">4</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.77247-ref5">5</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.77247-ref6">6</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.77247-ref7">7</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.77247-ref8">8</xref>] or inorganic [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.77247-ref3">3</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.77247-ref9">9</xref>] anions of different sizes or charges. The [M<sup>z+</sup><sub>1−x</sub>M<sup>3+</sup><sub>x</sub>(OH)<sub>2</sub>]<sup>p+</sup> main layer remains stable and is not capable of ion exchange once it is formed.</p><p>Two well-known and described LDHs are [LiAl<sub>2</sub>(OH)<sub>6</sub>] [Cl∙mH<sub>2</sub>O] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.77247-ref2">2</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.77247-ref9">9</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.77247-ref10">10</xref>] and [Mg<sub>2</sub>Al(OH)<sub>6</sub>] [Cl∙mH<sub>2</sub>O] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.77247-ref11">11</xref>]. Both compounds are generally synthesized by a direct reaction of a LiXor MgX<sub>2</sub>(X = Cl<sup>−</sup>, OH<sup>−</sup>, NO<sub>3</sub><sup>−</sup>, etc) with Al(OH)<sub>3</sub>[2/4]or by a hydrothermal reaction with higher temperatures and pressures [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.77247-ref1">1</xref>] .</p><p>The structure of Al(OH)<sub>3</sub>is built up of double layered sheets of hexagonally packed O atoms. Two thirds of the octahedral holes are occupied by Al atoms. Using LiX as the reaction partner leads to the formation of [LiAl<sub>2</sub>(OH)<sub>6</sub>] [X·mH<sub>2</sub>O] with Li<sup>+</sup> cations entering the vacancies in the aluminum hydroxide layers and A entering the interlayer space [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.77247-ref1">1</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.77247-ref9">9</xref>] . The structure of the resulting Li-LDH depends directly on the structure of the used aluminium hydroxide. Syntheses using gibbsite as starting material leads to Li-LDHs with hexagonal symmetry, while reactions with bayerite or nordstrandite produce LDHs with rhombohedra symmetry [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.77247-ref1">1</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.77247-ref10">10</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.77247-ref12">12</xref>] . In the brucite-like structure of [Mg<sub>2</sub>Al(OH)<sub>6</sub>][X·mH<sub>2</sub>O], Mg<sup>2+</sup> is octahedrally coordinated to six OH<sup>−</sup> anions. These octahedrons share edges and form thereby a layer. Substituting Mg<sup>2+</sup> with a trivalent ion like Al<sup>3+</sup> leads to a positive charge which can be compensate by interlayer anions [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.77247-ref11">11</xref>] . [Mg<sub>2</sub>Al(OH)<sub>6</sub>][X·mH<sub>2</sub>O] can also be rhombohedra or hexagonal [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.77247-ref13">13</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.77247-ref14">14</xref>] . The pure [Mg<sub>2</sub>Al(OH)<sub>6</sub>] [X·mH<sub>2</sub>O] phase produced within this work was hexagonal (P6/m).</p><p>Almost all publications concerning the interlayer anion exchange or the synthesis and physicochemical properties use a combination of M<sup>z</sup><sup>+</sup> (z = 1 or 2) + M<sup>3+</sup> in the main layer with a variation of two different elements [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.77247-ref3">3</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.77247-ref5">5</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.77247-ref15">15</xref>] - [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.77247-ref20">20</xref>] . The aim of this research is to invent a novel solid solution by adding a Me<sup>2+</sup> cation (Mg<sup>2+</sup>) into the structure of a Li-LDH. The distance between Li<sup>+</sup> and O<sup>2− </sup>ions in a [LiAl<sub>2</sub>(OH)<sub>6</sub>] [Cl·mH<sub>2</sub>O] LDH is 2.129&#197; and between Al<sup>3+</sup> and O<sup>2−</sup> 1.926&#197; [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.77247-ref2">2</xref>] . In a [Mg<sub>2</sub>Al(OH)<sub>6</sub>][Cl·mH<sub>2</sub>O] LDH, Mg<sup>2+</sup> and Al<sup>3+</sup> ions occupy the same positions with the same distance of 2.013&#197;between the cations and O<sup>2−</sup> [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.77247-ref21">21</xref>] . Comparing both structures and the bonding distances, it should be possible for Mg<sup>2+</sup> ions to occupy the Al<sup>3+</sup> and the Li<sup>+</sup> position in the solid solution.</p></sec><sec id="s2"><title>2. Experimental</title><sec id="s2_1"><title>2.1. Reagents</title><p>The starting materials for this work were LiCl (ROTH, purity ≥ 99%), MgCl<sub>2</sub>・6H<sub>2</sub>O (AppliChem ≥ 99%), AlCl<sub>3</sub>・6H<sub>2</sub>O (Serva ≥ 98%) and NaOH (Fluka ≥ 97%). XRD investigations and loss of ignition (LOI) were done with all chemicals to exclude contaminations and determine the amount of crystal water.</p></sec><sec id="s2_2"><title>2.2. Measurements</title><p>APAN anlytical X’PERT&#179; Powder diffractometer with Pixcel detector and a Cu radiation (45 kV/40 mA) was used for the X-ray powder diffraction (XRD). The samples were prepared with back loading procedure and recorded from 5˚ - 70˚2θ with a step width of 0.017˚2θ and a irradiation time per step of 19.685 s. Thermogravimetric analysis and differential thermal analysis (TGA/DTA) for the dried samples (relative humidity (RH) 35%) were done simultaneously by the 320U from Seiko Instruments under nitrogen flow and a 2.5 K/min heating rate between 25˚C - 1000˚C. Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR) were recorded by an IFS 55 Equinox FTIR spectrometer from Bruker (400 - 4000 cm<sup>−1</sup>). The scanning electron microscope (SEM) pictures were taken by a JOEL 640 SEM and the chemical compositions of the samples were proven by a Horiba Ultima2 inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES).</p></sec><sec id="s2_3"><title>2.3. Synthesis</title><p>All mixtures of the initial components were prepared in a glove box with nitrogen atmosphere to avoid carbonatization. The synthesis were carried out in 35 ml PTFE-lined stainless-stealautoclaves [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.77247-ref1">1</xref>] by adding solutions of LiCl, MgCl<sub>2</sub>∙6H<sub>2</sub>O and AlCl<sub>3</sub>·6H<sub>2</sub>Owith a W/S of 15: 1(a total of 1 g salts with 15 ml deionized/ decarbonized water) and 5M NaOH until an alkaline pH (8.5) was reached and heating it up 10 h and 48 h. A series of experiments with different temperatures, synthesis times and pH were carried out to achieve the best result for a pure solid solution. The synthesis temperature was varied between 100˚C, 120˚C, 140˚C and 160˚C and two different synthesis times (10 h and 48 h) and pH (8.5/9.5) were tested. To synthesize pure [Mg<sub>2</sub>Al(OH)<sub>6</sub>][Cl·mH<sub>2</sub>O] an exact ratio of 2 mol Mg<sup>2+</sup>: 1 mol Al<sup>3+</sup>was chosen andthe pure [LiAl<sub>2</sub>(OH)<sub>6</sub>][Cl·mH<sub>2</sub>O] was prepared by adding the Li<sup>+</sup> and Al<sup>3+</sup> salts in an exact 1 mol : 2 mol ratio. While the Mg containing LDH was prepared without problems, the Li LDH showed a high proportion of an amorphous phase. ICP-OES investigations stated that only 20% of Li<sup>+</sup> was incorporated in the LDH structure leaving 80% of Li<sup>+</sup> in the solution and the so remaining excess of Al<sup>3+</sup> as an amorphous phase. A five times higher concentration of Li<sup>+</sup> [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.77247-ref10">10</xref>] , as required by stoichiometry for the preparation of the pure [LiAl<sub>2</sub>(OH)<sub>6</sub>][Cl·mH<sub>2</sub>O] LDH, was necessary to compensate the 80 % lack of Li<sup>+</sup> in the solid state.</p><p>After the synthesis of pure [Mg<sub>2</sub>Al(OH)<sub>6</sub>][Cl·mH<sub>2</sub>O], the amount of Li<sup>+</sup> was increased and the amount of Mg<sup>2+</sup> was reduced in 10 mol% (X = 0.1) steps until 100 mol% Li ([LiAl<sub>2</sub>(OH)<sub>6</sub>][Cl·mH<sub>2</sub>O]) was reached. The products were filtered, washed with 30 ml deionized water and dried (RH 35%) until a constant mass was reached.</p><p>The mineralogical phases were determined by X-ray powder diffraction, the chemical compositions of the products by ICP-OES using the filtrate and the synthesis products dissolved in HNO<sub>3</sub> [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.77247-ref11">11</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.77247-ref16">16</xref>] .</p></sec></sec><sec id="s3"><title>3. Results and Discussion</title><sec id="s3_1"><title>3.1. Stoichiometric Composition</title><p>First experiments were carried out at 100˚C, pH 8.5, 10 h synthesis time and a W/S ratio of 15:1. Using an exact stoichiometric ratio of Li<sup>+</sup>/Mg<sup>2+</sup>/Al<sup>3+</sup> resulted in the synthesis of a high proportion of an amorphous phase with a small amount of a crystalline solid solution. After drying at 80˚C, XRD analysis showed a recrystallized Al(OH)<sub>3</sub> phase next to the LDH main phase.</p><p>Investigations of the filtered solutions and the dissolved products with ICP-OES stated that, independent from the Mg reactant amount, 99% - 100% of Mg<sup>2+</sup> but only 20% of Li<sup>+</sup> were build-in into a LDH phase. The other 80% of Li<sup>+</sup> remained in the solution. Due to the stoichiometric reactant ratio the leftover Li<sup>+</sup> ions in the solution are leading to leftover Al<sup>3+</sup>. These Al<sup>3+</sup> ions formed Al(OH)<sub>3</sub> in the basic environment. Using higher temperatures (up to 160˚C) or synthesis times (48 h) showed no positive effect for the crystallization of a pure LDH phase. Increasing pH from 8.5 to 9.5 resulted in a slightly higher amount of a crystalline phase.</p></sec><sec id="s3_2"><title>3.2. Composition with Increased Li<sup>+</sup> Content</title><p>After a five times increasement of the stoichiometric amount of Li<sup>+ </sup>(equal to the pure Li-LDH synthesis), with a resulting ratio of Li: Mg: Al = 5: 1: 1, a pure crystalline LDH phase could be achieved. ICP-OES studies stated that &gt;99% of Mg<sup>2+</sup> and Al<sup>3+</sup> and the needed 20 % of the five times higher Li<sup>+</sup> concentration were build-in into the crystalline phase.</p><sec id="s3_2_1"><title>3.2.1. PXRD Analysis</title><p>By increasing X from 0 to 1 in 0.1 mol steps in [Li<sub>0+x</sub>Mg<sub>2−2x</sub>Al<sub>1+x(</sub>OH)<sub>6</sub>][Cl∙mH<sub>2</sub>O], the amount of Mg<sup>2+</sup>is decreased and replaced by Al<sup>3+</sup> and Li<sup>+</sup>. This leads to a change of the lattice parameter a and the cell volume. Comparing the ion radii of Mg<sup>2+</sup> (0.65 &#197;) with Li<sup>+</sup> (0.60 &#197;) and Al<sup>3+</sup> (0.50 &#197;) it is to be expected that the lattice parameter a starts to decrease with higher Li<sup>+</sup>/Al<sup>3+</sup>content [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.77247-ref7">7</xref>] . A dependent change in the lattice parameter c or the basal reflections (00l) is not visible. By means of the (110)/(112) and (300)/(302) peaks, it is easily possible to distinguish the two different phases [Mg<sub>2</sub>Al(OH)<sub>6</sub>][Cl·mH<sub>2</sub>O] (P6/m) and [LiAl<sub>2</sub>(OH)<sub>6</sub>][Cl·mH<sub>2</sub>O] (P6<sub>3</sub>/m). Starting with X = 0 (pure [Mg<sub>2</sub>Al(OH)<sub>6</sub>][Cl·mH<sub>2</sub>O] phase) a separation in two phases is visible between X = 0.1 and X = 0.8 (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig1">Figure 1</xref> and <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig2">Figure 2</xref>). The ˚2Θ positions of the 110/112peaks at X = 0.1 - 0.8 show a peak shift to higher ˚2Θ angles in relation to the pure [Mg<sub>2</sub>Al(OH)<sub>6</sub>][Cl·mH<sub>2</sub>O]</p><fig id="fig1"  position="float"><label><xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig1">Figure 1</xref></label><caption><title> XRD pattern of the test series with X for[Li<sub>0+x</sub>Mg<sub>2−2x</sub>Al<sub>1+x</sub>(OH)<sub>6</sub>][Cl·mH<sub>2</sub>O] (120˚C/10 h) showing no visible phase separation at the (002)/(004) main peaks but two coexisting phases at higher ˚2Θ angle (60 - 65)</title></caption><graphic mimetype="image"   position="float"  xlink:type="simple"  xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/5-2000726x1.png"/></fig><fig id="fig2"  position="float"><label><xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig2">Figure 2</xref></label><caption><title> XRD pattern in the range of 60˚ to 65 ˚2Θ of the test series with X for [Li<sub>0+x</sub>Mg<sub>2−2x</sub>Al<sub>1+x(</sub>OH)<sub>6</sub>][Cl·mH<sub>2</sub>O]. The pattern for x = 0.1 until x = 0.8 show two different phases</title></caption><graphic mimetype="image"   position="float"  xlink:type="simple"  xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/5-2000726x2.png"/></fig><p>phase (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig2">Figure 2</xref> and <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig3">Figure 3</xref>) which is also visible in the lattice parameter (<xref ref-type="table" rid="table1">Table 1</xref>). This shift increases with higher Li<sup>+</sup> reactant amounts, which indicates Mg dominated solid solutions with different Li<sup>+</sup>/Mg<sup>2+</sup> ratios.</p><p>While the (110)/(112) peaks are completely erased for X = 0.9, the (300)/(302) peaks shifted and the solid solution hasa different lattice parameter compared to [LiAl<sub>2</sub>(OH)<sub>6</sub>][Cl·mH<sub>2</sub>O] at X = 1 [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.77247-ref2">2</xref>] (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig2">Figure 2</xref> and <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig3">Figure 3</xref>, <xref ref-type="table" rid="table1">Table 1</xref>). The lattice parameter a is closeto the calculated ideal position of a solid solution. Between X = 0.1 - 0.8 the (300)/(302) peaks have nearly the same position which is shifted to lower ˚2Θ angles and the lattice parameter are also nearly constant. This indicates a stable Li dominated solid solution with a defined amount of</p><fig id="fig3"  position="float"><label><xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig3">Figure 3</xref></label><caption><title> Lattice parameter a of two different phases with X for [Li<sub>0+x</sub>Mg<sub>2−2x</sub>Al<sub>1+x(</sub>OH)<sub>6</sub>] [Cl·mH<sub>2</sub>O]. The black dashed line shows the theoretical lattice parameter of the solid solutions</title></caption><graphic mimetype="image"   position="float"  xlink:type="simple"  xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/5-2000726x3.png"/></fig><table-wrap id="table1" ><label><xref ref-type="table" rid="table1">Table 1</xref></label><caption><title> Pawley fitted lattice parameter a/c for [Mg<sub>2</sub>Al(OH)<sub>6</sub>][Cl·mH<sub>2</sub>O] (X = 0), [LiAl<sub>2</sub>(OH)<sub>6</sub>][Cl·mH<sub>2</sub>O] (X = 1) and the split Li and Mg dominated solid solutions</title></caption><table><tbody><thead><tr><th align="center" valign="middle"  rowspan="2"  >X</th><th align="center" valign="middle"  colspan="2"  >lattice parameter a [&#197;]</th><th align="center" valign="middle"  colspan="2"  >lattice parameter c [&#197;]</th></tr></thead><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >phase 1 (Mg dominated)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >phase 2 (Li dominated)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >phase 1 (Mg dominated)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >phase 2 (Li dominated)</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >0</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >5.2862 (1)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >-</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >15.4231 (3)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" ></td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.1</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >5.2784 (1)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >5.0966 (1)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >15.3655 (2)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >15.3650 (4)</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.2</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >5.2795 (9)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >5.0976 (7)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >15.3591 (9)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >15.3582 (3)</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.3</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >5.2790 (3)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >5.0978 (2)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >15.3589 (4)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >15.3593 (1)</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.4</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >5.2782 (5)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >5.0978 (3)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >15.3599 (2)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >15.3596 (6)</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.5</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >5.2773 (8)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >5.0978 (2)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >15.3581 (5)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >15.3584 (4)</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.6</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >5.2772 (3)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >5.0977 (4)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >15.3612 (1)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >15.3609 (1)</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.7</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >5.2750 (3)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >5.0970 (6)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >15.3644 (1)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >15.3647 (9)</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.8</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >5.2701 (6)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >5.0978 (2)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >15.3608 (3)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >15.3602 (2)</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.9</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >-</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >5.0978 (9)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >-</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >15.3601 (8)</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >1</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >-</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >5.0766 (2)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >-</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >15.3425 (3)</td></tr></tbody></table></table-wrap><p>Mg<sup>2+</sup> independent from the Mg<sup>2+</sup> reactant amount. The miscibility gap for X = 0.1 - 0.8 was observed at all tested synthesis temperatures (100˚C - 160˚C) and times (10 h/48 h).</p><p>To synthesize pure solid solution phases, test series between X = 0.9 and X = 1 (in 0.02 mol steps) were conducted. XRD results show a single mineral phase with h0l peak shifts (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig4">Figure 4</xref> and <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig5">Figure 5</xref>). This peak shifts follow nearly the</p><fig id="fig4"  position="float"><label><xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig4">Figure 4</xref></label><caption><title> XRD pattern of the test series with X = 0.9 - 1 for[Li<sub>0+x</sub>Mg<sub>2−2x</sub>Al<sub>1+x</sub>(OH)<sub>6</sub>] [Cl·mH<sub>2</sub>O]. X was increased in 0.02 mol steps (120˚C/10 h). Due to a preferred orientation of 00l, the (100) and (105) peak is no longer visible for X = 0.96; 0.98; 1</title></caption><graphic mimetype="image"   position="float"  xlink:type="simple"  xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/5-2000726x4.png"/></fig><fig id="fig5"  position="float"><label><xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig5">Figure 5</xref></label><caption><title> XRD pattern in the range of 60˚ to 65 ˚2Θ of the test series with series with X = 0.9 - 1 for [Li<sub>0+x</sub>Mg<sub>2−2x</sub>Al<sub>1+x(</sub>OH)<sub>6</sub>][Cl·mH<sub>2</sub>O] with marked peaks. A shift for the (300) and (302) peaks is visible</title></caption><graphic mimetype="image"   position="float"  xlink:type="simple"  xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/5-2000726x5.png"/></fig><p>calculated shifts for the solid solutions (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig6">Figure 6</xref>). These experiments were also done at four different temperatures (100˚C, 120˚C, 140˚C, 160˚C). Although there is a shift difference depending on the temperature (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig6">Figure 6</xref>), no phase separation was observed for all investigated solid solutions (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig5">Figure 5</xref>).</p><p>The optimal results for a pure solid solution phase were achieved at 120˚C/10 h synthesis time/pH 9.5 and W/S ratio 15:1 (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig6">Figure 6</xref>/<xref ref-type="table" rid="table2">Table 2</xref>). The measured lattice parameters a differ only slightly from the calculated and the lattice parameters c are nearly constant (<xref ref-type="table" rid="table2">Table 2</xref>).</p><p>The products were fitted by Pawley fit and the space group was determined as P6<sub>3</sub>/m for all pure solid solutions up to X = 0.9. Investigations of the lattice parameter a show a straight increase from ~5.08&#197; (X = 0) [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.77247-ref8">8</xref>] to ~5.10&#197; (X = 0.1) as calculated (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig6">Figure 6</xref>/<xref ref-type="table" rid="table2">Table 2</xref>).</p><fig-group id="fig6"><label><xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig6">Figure 6</xref></label><caption><title> Theoretical and measured lattice parameter a for the solid solutions with X = 0.1, 0.8, 0.9 - 0.98 for [Li<sub>0+x</sub>Mg<sub>2−2x</sub>Al<sub>1+x</sub>(OH)<sub>6</sub>] [Cl·mH<sub>2</sub>O]and the pure Mg/Li LDH at (a) 100˚C; (b) 120˚C; (c) 140˚C; (d) 160˚C. For X = 0.1/0.8 two separated LDH phases are visible.</title></caption><fig id ="fig6_1"><label> (b)</label><graphic mimetype="image"   position="float"  xlink:type="simple"  xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/5-2000726x6.png"/></fig><fig id ="fig6_2"><label>(c)</label><graphic mimetype="image"   position="float"  xlink:type="simple"  xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/5-2000726x7.png"/></fig><fig id ="fig6_3"><label> (d)</label><graphic mimetype="image"   position="float"  xlink:type="simple"  xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/5-2000726x8.png"/></fig><fig id ="fig6_4"><label></label><graphic mimetype="image"   position="float"  xlink:type="simple"  xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/5-2000726x9.png"/></fig></fig-group><table-wrap id="table2" ><label><xref ref-type="table" rid="table2">Table 2</xref></label><caption><title> Theoretical and measured/fitted lattice parameter (a) and (c) for the solid solutions with X = 0.9 - 0.98 and [LiAl<sub>2</sub>(OH)<sub>6</sub>][Cl·0.51H<sub>2</sub>O] at X = 1 (120˚C/10 h/pH 9.5/W/S 15: 1)</title></caption><table><tbody><thead><tr><th align="center" valign="middle" >X</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >theoretical lattice parameter a [&#197;]</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >measured lattice parameter a [&#197;]</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >measured lattice parameter c [&#197;]</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >Measured cellvolume [&#197;]&#179;</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >spacegroup</th></tr></thead><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.9</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >5.0962</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >5.1004 (4)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >15.3512 (1)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >345.844 (9)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >P6<sub>3</sub>/m</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.92</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >5.0922</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >5.0978 (3)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >15.3602 (3)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >345.694 (9)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >P6<sub>3</sub>/m</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.94</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >5.0881</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >5.0975 (1)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >15.3563 (7)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >345.566 (5)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >P6<sub>3</sub>/m</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.96</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >5.0840</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >5.0906 (9)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >15.3497 (1)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >344.483 (5)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >P6<sub>3</sub>/m</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.98</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >5.0799</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >5.0886 (8)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >15.3550 (3)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >344.331 (7)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >P6<sub>3</sub>/m</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >1</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >5.0759</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >5.0783 (8)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >15.3483 (4)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >342.789 (5)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >P6<sub>3</sub>/m</td></tr></tbody></table></table-wrap></sec><sec id="s3_2_2"><title>3.2.2. ICP-OES Analysis</title><p>To determine the chemical formula, all products were completely dissolved insuprapur 65% nitric acid and investigated with ICP-OES [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.77247-ref11">11</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.77247-ref16">16</xref>] . The results were used to calculatethe LDH formulas (<xref ref-type="table" rid="table4">Table 4</xref>). These calculations also stated a maximum content of an amorphous phase of &lt;1%. Recrystallization tests showed no Al containing phases. Synthesis temperatures higher than 140˚C led to a destabilization of the LDH phase and the formation of AlO(OH) (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig7">Figure 7</xref>). The test series with 160˚C were repeated several times producing always AlO(OH) next to the LDH. Calculations showed an Al containing amorphous phase and crystalline AlO(OH) proportion of 10 % to 90 % (<xref ref-type="table" rid="table3">Table 3</xref>). The resulting lack of Al<sup>3+</sup> in the solid solution leads to LDH phases with a higher Mg/Al ratio than 2:1 and therefore to the formation of a LDH with higher Mg<sup>2+</sup> amounts next to the AlO(OH) phase (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig6">Figure 6</xref>(d)).</p><table-wrap id="table3" ><label><xref ref-type="table" rid="table3">Table 3</xref></label><caption><title> Proportion of the amorphous phase/AlO(OH) depending on the synthesis temperature</title></caption><table><tbody><thead><tr><th align="center" valign="middle" >T [˚C]</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >Al containing amorphous phase/[%]</th></tr></thead><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >100</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >&lt;1</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >120</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >&lt;1</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >140</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >&lt;1</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >160</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >&gt;10</td></tr></tbody></table></table-wrap><fig id="fig7"  position="float"><label><xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig7">Figure 7</xref></label><caption><title> Pawley fit of a solid solution [Li<sub>0.90</sub>Mg<sub>0.25</sub>Al<sub>1.87</sub>(OH)<sub>6</sub>] ][Cl·mH<sub>2</sub>O] synthesized at 160˚C. A phase of AlO(OH) (*) is visible next to the solid solution (#). The broadening at 40˚ and 47˚ ˚2θ(small picture) is interpreted as stacking faults [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.77247-ref7">7</xref>] </title></caption><graphic mimetype="image"   position="float"  xlink:type="simple"  xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/5-2000726x10.png"/></fig></sec><sec id="s3_2_3"><title>3.2.3. Thermal Analysis</title><p>The amount of interlayer water was determined by TG/DTA for [LiAl<sub>2</sub>(OH)<sub>6</sub>] [Cl·0.50H<sub>2</sub>O], [Mg<sub>2</sub>Al(OH)<sub>6</sub>][Cl·0.55H<sub>2</sub>O]and all pure solid solutions (<xref ref-type="table" rid="table4">Table 4</xref>). An example for the Li-LDH, Mg-LDH and the solid solution with the highest Mg<sup>2+</sup> amount [Li<sub>0.9</sub>Mg<sub>0.2</sub>Al<sub>1.90</sub>(OH)<sub>6</sub>][Cl·0.51H<sub>2</sub>O] is shown in <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig8">Figure 8</xref>. Comparing the solid solution with the pure Li- and Mg-LDH, there is a high similarity in mass loss and exothermal reaction. The mass loss at 75˚C - 100˚C is caused by the removal of intercalated interlayer water [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.77247-ref2">2</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.77247-ref6">6</xref>] . With 4.5% for the pure Li-LDH, 4.2% for the solid solution and 4.7% for the pure Mg-LDH it corresponds with the loss of 0.50 to 0.55 water per formula unit of the LDHs. While the differential thermal analysis of the pure Li- and Mg-LDH show a single endothermic reaction at 275˚C - 325˚C, the solid solution shows two (260˚C and 320˚C). At this temperature, the LDH starts to dehydroxylate which results in the destruction of the metal hydroxide main layer [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.77247-ref2">2</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.77247-ref6">6</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.77247-ref7">7</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.77247-ref11">11</xref>] . Combining Li<sup>+</sup> and Mg<sup>2+</sup> with Al<sup>3+</sup> in the main layer leads to a two-step dehydroxylation.</p><fig-group id="fig8"><label><xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig8">Figure 8</xref></label><caption><title> Thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis of (a) [LiAl<sub>2</sub>(OH)<sub>6</sub>] [Cl·0.51H<sub>2</sub>O]; (b) [Li<sub>0.9</sub>Mg<sub>0.2</sub>Al<sub>1.90</sub>(OH)<sub>6</sub>] [Cl·0.50H<sub>2</sub>O]; (c) [Mg<sub>2</sub>Al(OH)<sub>6</sub>][Cl·0.55H<sub>2</sub>O] (120˚C/10 h/pH 9.5/W/S 15: 1) show the loss of interlayer water at 75˚C - 100˚C). Temperatures above 275˚C destroy the structure of the main layer. Heating rate: 2.5 K/min.</title></caption><fig id ="fig8_1"><label>(b)</label><graphic mimetype="image"   position="float"  xlink:type="simple"  xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/5-2000726x11.png"/></fig><fig id ="fig8_2"><label> (c)</label><graphic mimetype="image"   position="float"  xlink:type="simple"  xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/5-2000726x12.png"/></fig><fig id ="fig8_3"><label></label><graphic mimetype="image"   position="float"  xlink:type="simple"  xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/5-2000726x13.png"/></fig></fig-group><table-wrap id="table4" ><label><xref ref-type="table" rid="table4">Table 4</xref></label><caption><title> Calculated chemical formulas based on ICP-OES results and interlayer water of the solid solutions X for [Li<sub>0+x</sub>Mg<sub>2−2x</sub>Al<sub>1+x(</sub>OH)<sub>6</sub>][Cl∙mH<sub>2</sub>O] (120&#176;C/10h/pH 9.5/W/S 15: 1)</title></caption><table><tbody><thead><tr><th align="center" valign="middle" >X</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >chemical formula</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >interlayer water [mol]</th></tr></thead><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >0</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >[Mg<sub>2</sub>Al(OH)<sub>6</sub>]Cl</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.55</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.9</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >[Li<sub>0.9</sub>Mg<sub>0.2</sub>Al<sub>1.90</sub>(OH)<sub>6</sub>]Cl</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.50</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.92</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >[Li<sub>0.92</sub>Mg<sub>0.16</sub>Al<sub>1.92</sub>(OH)<sub>6</sub>]Cl</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.52</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.94</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >[Li<sub>0.94</sub>Mg<sub>0.12</sub>Al<sub>1.94</sub>(OH)<sub>6</sub>]Cl</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.50</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.96</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >[Li<sub>0.96</sub>Mg<sub>0.08</sub>Al<sub>1.96</sub>(OH)<sub>6</sub>]Cl</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.51</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.98</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >[Li<sub>0.98</sub>Mg<sub>0.04</sub>Al<sub>1.98</sub>(OH)<sub>6</sub>]Cl</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.50</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >1</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >[LiAl<sub>2</sub>(OH)<sub>6</sub>]Cl</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.51</td></tr></tbody></table></table-wrap></sec><sec id="s3_2_4"><title>3.2.4. FTIR Spectroscopy</title><p>To prove purity of the products, all samples were investigated by FTIR spectroscopy (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig9">Figure 9</xref>). Although there are 10 mol% Mg<sup>2+</sup> in the solid solution, there is only a slight difference to a pure [LiAl<sub>2</sub>(OH)<sub>6</sub>][Cl·0.51H<sub>2</sub>O] FTIR spectrum visible. All three spectra show the typical H<sub>2</sub>O/OH<sup>−</sup> absorption at ~3500 cm<sup>−1</sup> and 1630 cm<sup>−1</sup> [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.77247-ref5">5</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.77247-ref18">18</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.77247-ref22">22</xref>] and only the spectra of [Li<sub>0.9</sub>Mg<sub>0.2</sub>Al<sub>1.90</sub>(OH)<sub>6</sub>] [Cl・0.50H<sub>2</sub>O] and [Mg<sub>2</sub>Al(OH)<sub>6</sub>][Cl・0.55H<sub>2</sub>O] show an insignificant amount of carbonatization with the absorption at 1380 cm<sup>−1</sup> [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.77247-ref5">5</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.77247-ref18">18</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.77247-ref23">23</xref>] . The absorption of Al (980/720/520 cm<sup>−1</sup>) related groups is very good visible for the pure Li-LDH but not as distinct for the solid solution [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.77247-ref11">11</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.77247-ref24">24</xref>] . Mg related absorptions at 415 cm<sup>−1</sup> are only visible in the pure Mg-LDH (<xref ref-type="table" rid="table5">Table 5</xref>). The amount of Mg<sup>2+</sup> is high enough to influence the absorption spectra but not to show a clear Mg related absorption.</p></sec><sec id="s3_2_5"><title>3.2.5. SEM Analysis</title><p>SEM pictures (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig1">Figure 1</xref>0) show flat, (pseudo-) hexagonal particles with different sizes, starting at 2 - 3 &#181;m until nearly nanosize. These particles form cluster in the size of 200 - 600 &#181;m.</p></sec><sec id="s3_2_6"><title>3.2.6. Structure of the Solid Solution</title><p>Based on the assumption that Mg<sup>2+</sup> ions can occupy the positions of Li<sup>+</sup> and Al<sup>3+</sup> because of the fitting bonding length [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.77247-ref2">2</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.77247-ref21">21</xref>] , the ion radii [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.77247-ref7">7</xref>] and the determined hexagonal P6<sub>3</sub>/m space group, the structure of the pure phased solid solution should be identical with the Li-LDH (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig1">Figure 1</xref>1). This is also indicated by the chemical composition with the formula [Li<sub>0.9</sub>Mg<sub>0.2</sub>Al<sub>1.90</sub>(OH)<sub>6</sub>][Cl・0.50H<sub>2</sub>O]. If Mg<sup>2+</sup> ions could not enter one of the two octahedral positions, there would be two possibilities: they would exchange with Li<sup>+</sup> ions only, which would reduce the amount of Li<sup>+</sup> in the solid solution while the amount of Al<sup>3+</sup> would not change, or they would exchange only with Al<sup>3+</sup> ions with the opposite result. The results of this work show, that in fact Mg<sup>2+</sup> has to be statistically distributed with 5 mol% on the Li<sup>+</sup> and 5 mol% on the Al<sup>3+</sup> position to provide the measured chemical formula.</p><fig id="fig9"  position="float"><label><xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig9">Figure 9</xref></label><caption><title> FTIR spectrum of (a) [[LiAl<sub>2</sub>(OH)<sub>6</sub>][Cl・0.51H<sub>2</sub>O]; (b) [Li<sub>0.9</sub>Mg<sub>0.2</sub>Al<sub>1.90</sub>(OH)<sub>6</sub>] [Cl・0.50H<sub>2</sub>O]; (c) [Mg<sub>2</sub>Al(OH)<sub>6</sub>][Cl・0.55H<sub>2</sub>O] with the typical absorbed water (~3500 cm<sup>−1</sup> and 1620 cm<sup>−1</sup>) and the metal-O and metal-OH vibrations (&gt;1000 cm<sup>−1</sup>). Absorption at 2400 cm<sup>−1</sup> is device related</title></caption><graphic mimetype="image"   position="float"  xlink:type="simple"  xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/5-2000726x14.png"/></fig><table-wrap id="table5" ><label><xref ref-type="table" rid="table5">Table 5</xref></label><caption><title> Observed wavenumbers and the assignment bending</title></caption><table><tbody><thead><tr><th align="center" valign="middle" >wavenumber [cm<sup>−</sup><sup>1</sup>]</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >assignment</th></tr></thead><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >3600 - 3400</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >ν<sub>1, </sub>ν<sub>3</sub> (H<sub>2</sub>O)</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >1630</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >ν(H<sub>2</sub>O)</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >1380</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >v<sub>a</sub>(C-O)</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >980</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >δ(Me-OH)</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >720</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >δ(Me-OH)</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >520</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >δ(Al-O)</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >415</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >δ(Mg-O)</td></tr></tbody></table></table-wrap><fig id="fig10"  position="float"><label><xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig1">Figure 1</xref>0</label><caption><title> SEM pictures of [Li<sub>0.9</sub>Mg<sub>0.2</sub>Al<sub>1.90</sub>(OH)<sub>6</sub>][Cl・0.50H<sub>2</sub>O] flat hexagonal particles with average crystal size of &gt;3 &#181;m</title></caption><graphic mimetype="image"   position="float"  xlink:type="simple"  xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/5-2000726x15.png"/></fig><fig id="fig11"  position="float"><label><xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig1">Figure 1</xref>1</label><caption><title> View of the unit cell of [Li<sub>0.9</sub>Mg<sub>0.2</sub>Al<sub>1.90</sub>(OH)<sub>6</sub>]Cl・0.5H<sub>2</sub>O(based on Li-LDH structure [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.77247-ref2">2</xref>] ―interlayer water excluded) with the octahedral positions of Li<sup>+</sup> and Al<sup>3+</sup>. Both positions are occupied with 5mol% by Mg<sup>2+</sup></title></caption><graphic mimetype="image"   position="float"  xlink:type="simple"  xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/5-2000726x16.png"/></fig></sec></sec></sec><sec id="s4"><title>4. Conclusion</title><p>It is possible to synthesise a pure [Li<sub>0+x</sub>Mg<sub>2−2x</sub>Al<sub>1+x(</sub>OH)<sub>6</sub>][Cl·mH<sub>2</sub>O] solid solution using autoclaves with temperatures of 100˚C, 120˚C and 140˚C with a maxi- mum amount of 10 mol% Mg<sup>2+</sup> (X = 0.9). Using more Mg<sup>2+</sup> in the reactant leads to a parallel formation of an Mg<sup>2+</sup> dominated and a Li<sup>+</sup> dominated solid solution. Optimal results for a pure solid solution can be achieved at 120˚C, pH 9.5, W/S15: 1, 10 h synthesis time. Changing the temperature to 160˚C provides the formation of an AlO(OH) phase. The pure solid solution with the highest Mg content is [Li<sub>0.9</sub>Mg<sub>0.2</sub>Al<sub>1.9</sub>(OH)<sub>6</sub>][Cl·0.50H<sub>2</sub>O].</p></sec><sec id="s5"><title>Cite this paper</title><p>Niksch, A. P&#246;llmann, H. (2017) Synthesis and Characterization of a [Li<sub>0+x</sub>Mg<sub>2−2x</sub>Al<sub>1+x(</sub>OH)<sub>6</sub>][Cl∙mH<sub>2</sub>O] Solid So- lution with X = 0 - 1 at Different Temperatures. Natural Resources, 8, 445-459. https://doi.org/10.4236/nr.2017.86029</p></sec></body><back><ref-list><title>References</title><ref id="scirp.77247-ref1"><label>1</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Williams, G.R., Morrhouse, S.J., Prior, T.J., Fogg, A.M., Rees, N.H. and O’Hare, D. (2011) New Insights into the Intercalation Chemistry of Al(OH)3. 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