pH sensitive organic-inorganic layered nanomaterials by self-assembly of indigocarmine between the inorganic layers.

New pH sensitive organic-inorganic intercalation compounds having different interlayer spacing were prepared. Zn-Al layered double hydroxide (LDH) is an anion exchangeable inorganic layered compound whose interlayer spacing is 0.76 nm. In the reactions of indigocarmine (IDC) with the calcined Zn-Al LDH at pH = 7 (LDH-IDC7), interlayer spacing increased to 2.25 nm. The interlayer spacing of LDH-IDC7 decreased to 1.89 nm by the treatment in basic solution. In the reaction of IDC with the calcined Zn-Al LDH at pH = 10 (LDH-IDC10), interlayer spacing of the intercalation compounds was 1.89 nm. The interlayer spacing of these intercalation compounds was changed reversibly by the treatments in acidic or basic solution.