Layered double hydroxides These materials, also known as anionic clays, represent a large family of highly interesting compounds both naturally occurring and synthetized in the laboratory. Essentially basic, they are used as catalysts, catalyst precursors and support, anion scavengers, and also find applications in Medicine, to host drugs for controlled delivery. We have mostly studied these materials possessing transition metal cations (oxidizable ones in some cases) in the layers, and we have also studied systems with polyoxometalate anions in the interlayer space. We are currently investigating their role as polymer additives (composites) and as precursors for ceramic pigments. Their use in soil remediation is also one of our objectives.
Clays. Both natural and synthesised in our laboratory are being studied as supports for heterogeneous catalysts and photocatalysis. Modification of clays (pillaring and delamination) and their functonalistion to improve their properties are also being studied.
Heterogeneous photocatalysis. Removal of pollutants from water is one of the most outstanding problems in contamination studies. Such a removal can be accomplished by the use of doped titania, given the photoconducting properties of this material, and its fine modulation upon addition of dopants.
