Synthesis and characterization of mesoporous zinc layered hydroxide-isoprocarb nanocomposite

The ion exchange method was used to intercalate a poor water-soluble insecticide, isoprocarb into zinc layered hydroxide (ZLH). PXRD analysis indicated the successful intercalation with good crystallinity for the resulting nanocomposite, with a basal spacing of 33.1 Å. FTIR analyses showing the resemblance of an absorption peak of the nanocomposite with the host and the guest anion. The thermal analysis confirmed that the nanocomposite had better thermal stability compared to the pristine isoprocarb. The nanocomposite also characterized by elemental and surface morphology analysis. The surface analyses of the host and nanocomposite showed mesoporous-type material characteristics. On the whole, the intercalation process decreased the pore size of the nanocomposite compared to the pristine host, layered zinc layered hydroxide-sodium dodecyl sulphate (ZLH-SDS). The obtained material is believed has a great potential as an environmentally friendly insecticide.