Investigation on Structural , Morphological and Relaxometric Properties of Lamellar Zrp Modified with Long Chain Amine

In order to search nanofiller for controlling release of drugs lamellar α-zirconium phosphate (α-ZrP) was modified with ether-amine oligomer (E-A). Synthesis and chemical modification followed specific reaction conditions and different EA:ZrP ratios. Infrared spectra showed strong interaction between P-OH and NH2 groups. Thermogravimetric curves showed that ether-amine oligomer was incorporated by ZrP. Interlamellar space of α-ZrP increased at least four times indicating intercalation. The relaxometry analysis indicated that α-ZrP molecular mobility changed according to the etheramine amount. The scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive analysis revealed the presence of octadecylamine inside the α-ZrP galleries. The results showed that P-OH group (Brønsted acid) and amine group (Brønsted base) reacted to each other, resulting in an ionic bond PO3HN-[-(CH2-CH2-O) m-(CH2-C-H(CH3)-O)n-]. Partially intercalated nanofiller were achieved.


Introduction
Inorganic layered nanomaterials have been investigated for wide range of applications such as control drug release and reinforcing filler in nanocomposites.Inorganic lamellar phosphates have been gaining remarkable interest as alternative for natural clays in some many kind of applications.Nanospheres of titanium phosphate functionalized by metal ion were developed by Feng et al. for detection of myocardial infraction 1 .Chenlu et al. dispersed nanosheets of titanium phosphate in poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) owing to obtaining nanocomposite.The authors reported that marked enhance of properties was achieved 2 .Rathore and Pathania carried out the degradation of methylene blue in presence of photocatalyst based on styrene-tin phosphate ion exchanger.They mentioned an efficiency of 80% after two hours of solar light exposure 3 .Synthetic phosphates have been studied since 60's.They presented generic chemical formula M(RPO 3 ) 2 where M is a tetravalent metal for instance, titanium (Ti), zirconium (Zr), hafnium (Hf), germanium (Ge), tin (Sn), plumb (Pb), torium (Th) and R can be hydrogen atom, hydroxyl group or an organic moiety 4,5 .There are several articles devoted to the synthesis of lamellar zirconium phosphate (α-ZrP) and zirconium compounds for application in polymer nanocomposites and so on [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13] .Due to their crystalline lamellar structure and the presence of acid groups inside the galleries, they allow the anchoring of intercalant in order to expand their lamellae.
Short and long chain amines have been used as intercalation agent.Alhendawi et al. investigated the intercalation of a series of primary alkylamines of different chain length inside the galleries of λ-ZrP 14 .Aminoalkanes were intercalated into λ-ZrP to use as latent polymerization catalyst of glycidyl phenyl ether (GPE) 15 .The intercalation of n-alkylamines (n-butylamine, n-heptylamine and n-decylamine) into layered zirconium benzylamino-N,N-dimethylphosphonate phosphate (ZBMPA) ZBMPA was reported by Zeng et al. 16 .
Oligo-ether-amine (Jeffamine) is a commercial class of amines with great application.White et al. reported the influence of oligo-ether-amine (M-600 and M-1000) as surface modifiers on the rheology of epoxy/ZrP suspensions 17 .ZrP nanoplatelets were organically modified with oligo-ether-amine M-1000 in order to obtain α-zirconium phosphate/polyurethane (ZrP/PU) nanocomposites for corrosion protection 18 .kłapyta et al. 19 inserted monoamines (Jeffamines M-600, M-1000 and M-2005) into a synthetic Li-fluorotaeniolite (Li-TN).The authors pointed out that the Li-TN was also easily intercalated with the unprotonated Jeffamines in a water-ethanol solution.Sue et al. 20 studied the fracture behaviour of epoxy nanocomposites containing α-zirconium phosphate modified with monoamine (Jeffamine 715).It was not found article exclusively devoted to the systematic study of intercalation of α-ZrP using ether-amine oligomer (Jeffamine M600).Searching nanofiller for controlling release of drugs α-ZrP a Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro -UFRJ, Instituto de Macromoléculas Professora Eloisa Mano -IMA, Avenida Horácio Macedo, 2030, Centro de Tecnologia, Bloco J, 21941-598, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil b Instituto Militar de Engenharia -IME, Praça General Tibúrcio, 80, 22290-270, Urca, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil was modified with ether-amine oligomer (E-A, Jeffamine M-600) Three ether-amine:ZrP molar ratios (0.5:1, 1:1 and 2:1) were investigated.The investigation on structural, thermal, crystallographic and morphological characteristics was evaluated.The aim of this work was to prepare organointercalated zirconium phosphate and to evaluate the effect of different ether-amine:phosphate ratio on thermal, structural, crystallographic and molecular mobility characteristics of the filler.The insertion of the E-A in ZrP had showing marked changes on the relaxation times, degree of crystallinity and thermal stability.In the future, the nanofiller will be used to produce nanocomposite viewing controlling release of drugs.

Synthesis of layered zirconium phosphate
The synthesis of lamellar-zirconium phosphate was performed by direct precipitation.12M phosphoric acid solution and zirconium oxychloride at a ratio Zr/P = 18 were mixed, kept under reflux at 110°C, under stirring, during 24 hours.The product was centrifuged and solid portion was washed successively until pH around 5. Finally, the lamellar zirconium phosphate was lyophilized [21][22] .The amorphous structure of ZrP is achieved by of reaction of zirconium oxychloride (ZrOCl 2 .8H 2 O) in excess phosphoric acid, according to equation (Equation 1): (1)

Jeffamine (M600) intercalation in zirconium phosphate
The chemical modification of the lamellar zirconium phosphate was carried out through the addition of etheramine oligomer at different ether-amine/phosphate ratios (0.5:1; 1:1; 2:1).Ethanolic solution of lamellar zirconium phosphate was added to the ether-amine ethanolic solution being the reaction medium maintained at 25°C, under stirring, during 24 hours.The product was dried at 110°C until constant weight was attained 23 .

Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR)
Infrared spectroscopy was performed in Perkin Elmer equipment, model Frontier.The spectrum was taken by KBr disk, in the range of 4000-400 cm -1 with 50 scans and 4 cm -1 of resolution.The effect of the ether-amine oligomer amount on the P-OH group was carried out considering the determination of ratio among the variable bands at 3,595; 3,511 and 3,153 cm -1 and invariable one at 2,972 cm -1 .Also, the ratio between bands at 1,617 cm -1 and 2,972 cm -1 was assessed in order to discuss on the amount of water remained in the modifier ZrP.

Thermogravimetry (TG/DTG)
Thermal stability was evaluated using a thermogravimetric analyser, TA Instrument, model Q500.The analysis was carried out from 30 to 700°C, at 10°C/min, with nitrogen as carrying gas.Degradation temperatures -Onset, maximum and final, respectively, T onset , T max and T final were registered.

Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC)
Calorimetric analysis was carried out using TA Instruments, model Q1000.Three thermal cycles were performed.Firstly, the sample was heated from -30 to 200°C, 10°C/min, under nitrogen atmosphere, maintained at this temperature for 2 minutes, in order to eliminate the thermal history.After that, a cooling cycle was carried out until -30°C, at 10°C/ min.Finally, a second heating was conducted in the same conditions of the initial cycle.

Hydrogen low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (LFNMR)
In order to assess the molecular mobility, the polymer relaxation time was investigated using a Maran Ultra 23 low-field NMR device.The relaxation time (T 1 H) was measured in time intervals of 2 s and 40 points, at 30°C.The result was expressed in terms of domain curves.

Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and X-ray scatteringspectrometer (EDX)
Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was performed with FEG Quanta 250 microscope using sample fractured surface covered with gold and applying voltage of 30 kV.Photographs were taken at high magnification.For the elements identification, an X-ray analyzer BRUKER was coupled to the SEM.

Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR)
Figure 1 (a) shows FTIR spectra of the ether-amine oligomer, α-ZrP and modified ZrP with different E-A:ZrP ratios.For ether-amine oligomer, absorption bands at 2,972, 2,931 and 2,873 cm -1 ; l,460 cm -1 ; 1,108 and 1,016 cm -1 ; were respectively assigned as CH stretching, CH 2 stretching and C-O-C stretching of ethylene and propylene oxide chain moieties 24 .For ZrP, absorption bands at 3,595, 3,511 and 3,153 cm -1 were attributed to the asymmetric/ symmetric stretching of the crystal/interlayer water and hydrogen bonding between H-O-H and P-OH group 25 .Absorption bands around 1,112; 1,074; 1,050; 980 and 968 cm -1 were concerned to the phosphate asymmetric and symmetric vibrations [26][27] .Similarities were noticed for all modified α-ZrP.Absorption bands at 3,595; 3,511cm -1 ; 3,153 remained but the intensity was lower for sample 2:1 E-A/ZrP ratio.The ether-amine oligomer absorption bands at 2,972; 2,931 and 2,873 cm -1 appeared.Infrared absorptions at 1,112; 1,074; 1,050; 980 and 968 cm -1 assigned as vibrations of PO 4 3-were shifted to lower wavenumbers 27 .The same has occurred for ether-amine oligomer absorption bands at 1,108 and 1,016 cm -1 but both were superimposed by α-ZrP ones.In this work, the P-OH group was considered as Brønsted acid while the NH 2 group was seen as Brønsted base.(b) highlights the variable bands at 3,595; 3,511, 3,153 and 1,617 cm -1 .These bands were related with the invariable one at 2,972 cm -1 in order to estimate the reaction degree between P-OH and NH 2 groups.Table 1 shows the variation of these band ratio according to the nanofiller.The ratios decreased indicating that the groups reacted to each other resulting an ionic bond PO -+ .The ether-amine oligomer showed diffraction pattern of amorphous material.The d spacing for each modified α-ZrP is shown in Table 2.For all modified α-ZrP, the original hkl 002 remained with less intensity but a series of new angles below 2θ = 10° indicated that the original α-ZrP structure was partially destroyed.To these low angles the d spacing increased as diffraction angle decreased.The d spacing attained value almost four times higher than α-ZrP precursor.The larger interlayer spacing was attributed to the entrance of ether-amine oligomer into

Thermogravimetry (TG/DTG)
Figures 3 show thermogravimetric/thermogravimetric derivative curves.Thermal properties, theoretical/experimental E-A/ZrP ratios and chemical formula of α-ZrP precursor and modified are arranged in Table 3. Theoretical and experimental E-A/ZrP ratios were very similar showing that the effectiveness of intercalation.α-ZrP showed three degradation steps.
The first around 100-200°C, the second at 400-500°C and third in the vicinity of 500-600°C were associated to the releasing of adsorbed water, α-ZrP dehydroxylation and chemical transformation from phosphate to pyrophosphate, respectively 23 .The amine initiated its degradation at 225°C and T max occurred at 299°C.Dal pont et al. proposed the existence of different degradation steps for weakly linked amine and strongly linked amine in ZrP intercalation 6 .This was not observed in our investigation.Modified nanofillers presented three steps of degradation.The degradation below 300°C was attributed to the releasing of free amine while that nearby 300-350°C was associated to the bonded amine as seen in the ionic bond PO -+ The final degradation step was associated to the conversion of phosphate to pyrophosphate.Our results are in agreement with reported by Bestaoui et al. 24 .

Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC)
In order to normalize this evaluation, it was considered the thermal events occurred at second heating cycle (Figure 4).As shown by the calorimetric curves, either zirconium phosphate or ether-amine did not show relaxation in the temperature range.Similar results were presented by samples E-A/ ZrP (0.5:1 and 1:1).Only thermal curve of E-A/ZrP (2:1) sample showed an endothermic peak around 100°C which was attributed to the adsorbed water similarly to reported by Mendes et al. 23 .

Hydrogen low-field nuclear magnetic resonance ( 1 HLFNMR)
The effect of inorganic fillers on the molecular mobility of polymer matrix through hydrogen low-field nuclear magnetic resonance ( 1 HLFNMR) has been studied [31][32][33][34] .Herein, this technique was applied in order to evaluate the action of amine on the α-ZrP relaxometry.Figure 5 and Table 4 show the domain curves and relaxation times of precursor α-ZrP and modified ones, respectively.The precursor α-ZrP curve presented a bimodal relaxation peak in the time intervals of 8x10 4 -4x10 5 ms (peak 1) and 4x10 5 -3x10 6 ms (peak 2).It was deduced that the peak 1 represents hydrogen relaxation of P-OH group bonded with water while the peak 2 is concerned    to the hydrogen relaxation of free P-OH.The amine showed one peak between 10 5 -10 6 ms.Similarly, the modified α-ZrP also presented two relaxation peaks.For any E-A:ZrP ratios, the first peak was in the time interval around 1x10 4 -1x10 5 ms.This peaks was slightly displaced to lower values compared to that of precursor α-ZrP.According to the E-A:ZrP ratio, the second peak showed tendency to shift along the time axis.From smallest to highest amine content, the values were around 9x10 5 -3x10 6 , 7x10 5 -2x10 6 and 5x10 5 -1x10 6 ms, respectively.In general, as can be seen in Table 4, there was a reduction of the α-ZrP relaxation times as the amine content increased.In this study, it was proposed the occurence of reaction between P-OH (Brønsted acid) and amine group (Brønsted base).The insertion of amine into α-ZrP platelets created an ionic bond PO -+ reduced the its packing favoring the enhance of molecular mobility.

Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and X-ray scattering spectrometer (EDX)
The representative SEM image of α-ZrP is shown in Figure 6 a-b.The nanofiller presented as agglomerate of nanoplates with pseudo-hexagonal shape similarly to found by Xia et al. and Yue et al. in their articles on intercalation the α-ZrP with ionic liquids and benzoxazine, respectively [35][36] .A representative SEM image of E-A/ZrP is located at Figure 6 d-e.Where it was possible and just to have an idea about the thickness, some nanoplates showed thickness about 200 nm and diameter around 300 nm.The presence of amine disturbed the original arrangement of the filler.It is possible to see that the amine is structured among the ZrP interlayers suggesting pillarization (Figure 6 e). Figure 6 c-f shows the EDX spectra of α-ZrP and E-A/ZrP.It revealed the presence of O, P and Zr as the main elements of ZrP (Figure 6 c).Similar result was found by Wu et al. and Yu et al. [37][38] .The EDX spectrum of E-A/ZrP (Figure 6 f) revealed elements such as C, O, N, P and Zr.Due to the incorporation of the amine in the galleries of the zirconium phosphate, it was observed the variation of zirconium and oxygen content in E-A/ZrP sample.Similar result was found by Khare and Chokhare 39 in their work on Fe(Salen) intercalated α-zirconium phosphate for the oxidation of cyclohexene.

Conclusions
It was studied the intercalation long chain amine at different molar ratios (0.5:1, 1:1, and 2:1) into interlayer space of lamellar a-ZrP.Thermogravimetric and relaxometric results were influenced by amine:phosphate ratio.It was attained significant increasing of d spacing .Infrared analysis indicated that Brønsted acid-base reaction between P-OH (Brønsted acid) and amine (Brønsted base) occurred.The SEM/EDX revealed pseudo-hexagonal shape and the entrance of amine inside the a-ZrP galleries.

Figure 1 .
Figure 1.(a) FTIR spectra of the ether-amine oligomer, ZrP and modified ZrP, (b) FTIR spectra of the modified phosphates indicating changes in band shapes, and (c) Highlighted crystal/interlayer water absorption bands.

Figure 2 (
Figure 2 (a) shows WAXD patterns of the samples.The diffractogram of the α-ZrP showed characteristic diffraction angles around 2θ = 11.75°,19.89° and 25.04° and lamellar d spacing of 7.52 Å similarly to reported by Brandão et al., Hajipour et al. and Thakur et al.9,27,29 .The ether-amine oligomer showed diffraction pattern of amorphous material.The d spacing for each modified α-ZrP is shown in Table2.For all modified α-ZrP, the original hkl 002 remained with less intensity but a series of new angles below 2θ = 10° indicated that the original α-ZrP structure was partially destroyed.To these low angles the d spacing increased as diffraction angle decreased.The d spacing attained value almost four times higher than α-ZrP precursor.The larger interlayer spacing was attributed to the entrance of ether-amine oligomer into

Figure 2 .
Figure 2. (a) WAXD diffractograms of the ZrP and modified zirconium phosphates, and (b) Schematic representation of the E-A oligomer insertion into ZrP galleries.

Figure 3 .
Figure 3. TG and DTG curves of the ZrP and modified zirconium phosphates.

Figure 4 .
Figure 4. DSC second heating curves of the ZrP and modified zirconium phosphates.

Figure 5 .
Figure 5. Domain curves of the ZrP and modified phosphates.

Table 4 .
T1H of the ZrP and modified phosphates.

Table 1 .
Band ratios as function of E-A oligomer content.

Table 2 .
Diffraction angles and dspacing of modified zirconium phosphate at different E-A/ZrP ratios.

Table 3 .
TG/DTG data of the ZrP and modified zirconium phosphates.