Preparation of mesoporous ZnAlO nanoflakes by ion exchange from a Na-dawsonite parent material in the presence of an ionic liquid.

Herein, mesoporous ZnAlO spinel nanoflakes were prepared by an ion-exchange method from a Na-dawsonite parent material in the presence of an ionic liquid, 1-butyl-2,3-dimethylimidazolium chloride ([bdmim][Cl]), followed by calcination at 700 °C for 2 h. The as-obtained products were characterized by several techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The ZnAlO nanoflakes with the thickness of ∼20 nm were composed of numerous nanoparticles, which resulted in a high specific surface area of 245 m g.