Intercalation of Norfloxacin into Layered Double Hydroxides by Delamination/Restacking Process and its Controlled-Release Property

Norfloxacin (NFX)-layered double hydroxide (LDH) intercalated nanocomposite was synthesized by delamination/restacking process. In this method, LDH particles were first delaminated to well-dispersed two-dimensional nanosheets in formamide, and then the LDH nanosheets and NFX anions co-assembled into NFX-LDH nanocomposite. Characterization by powder x-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and thermogravimetry revealed that the product had an expanded LDH structure. This finding indicated that NFX was successfully intercalated into LDH layers, and NFX had both horizontal and vertical orientation in the interlayers of NFX-LDH nanocomposite. Additionally, the delamination/restacking method displayed various remarkable advantages such as simple procedure, short reaction time, and mild conditions compared with the conventional methods of ion exchange, co-precipitation, and reconstruction. Results further showed that the thermal stability of NFX greatly improved after intercalation into LDH layers and that NFX release of the NFX-LDH nanocomposite was gradual, suggesting potential use as an effective drug delivery system.