Characterization and film properties of electrophoretically deposited nanosheets of anionic titanate and cationic MgAl-layered double hydroxide.

Anionic hydrated titanate (H(n)TiO(m): HTO) nanosheets and cationic magnesium-aluminum layered double hydroxide (Mg-Al LDH) nanosheets were electrophoretically deposited on positively and negatively charged indium tin oxide (ITO)-coated glass substrates, respectively. The HTO nanosheets and Mg-Al LDH nanosheets obtained were identified in neutral water as H(2)Ti(4)O(9)·nH(2)O with a ζ-potential of -23 mV and Mg(6)Al(2)(OH)(18)·4.5H(2)O with a ζ-potential of +41 mV, respectively. Dense and smooth HTO and Mg-Al LDH films with layered structures with thicknesses of about 10-15 μm were prepared in 300 s at 7.5 V by electrophoretic deposition (EPD) from the nanosheet suspensions. Both EPD HTO and LDH films showed elasticity because of their layered laminate structures. The HTO thick films demonstrated large adsorption properties and high photocatalytic activity, while the Mg-Al LDH thick films showed relatively high ionic conductivity of 10(-5) S cm(-1) at 80 °C and 80% relative humidity.