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In this thesis, we consider three parameters associated with graphs : stack number, track number, and layered pathwidth. Our first result is to show that the stack number of any graph is at most 4 times its layered pathwidth. This result complements an existing result of Dujmovic et al. that showed that the queue number of a graph is at most 3 times its layered pathwidth minus one (Dujmovic, Morin, and Wood [SIAM J. Comput., 553–579, 2005]). Our second result is to show that graphs of track number at most 3 have layered pathwidth at most 4. This answers an open question posed by Banister et al. (Bannister, Devanny, Dujmovic, Eppstein, and Wood [GD 2016, 499–510, 2016, Algorithmica, 1–23, 2018]).

京都大学 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(工学) / 甲第24107号 / 工博第5029号 / 新制||工||1785(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院工学研究科物質エネルギー化学専攻 / (主査)教授 安部 武志, 教授 作花 哲夫, 教授 阿部 竜 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Philosophy (Engineering) / Kyoto University / DGAM

The reversible and topotactic insertion of guest species within layered host lattices, known as intercalation is a widely studied phenomena. The Layered Double Hydroxides (LDHs) or Anionic Alloys are important class of layered solids with its own distinct ion-exchange host-Guest Chemistry. The LDH structure may be derived from that of Brucite, Mg(OH)2, by random isomorphous substitution of Mg2+ ions by trivalent cations like Al3+, Ga3+ etc. This substitution leaves an excess positive charge on the layers, which is compensated by interlamellar anions. These ions are exchangeable and thus new functionalities can be introduced to ion exchange reactions. Insertion of neutral, non-polar or poorly water-soluble guest molecules remains a challenge. In the present study, two methodologies were adopted to extend the host-guest chemistry of LDHs to neutral and non-polar species, first by using Hydrophobic interaction and second, charge transfer (CT) interaction as driving force. Hlydrophobic interaction as driving force involves functionalization of the Mg-Al-LDH galleries as bilayers, thus covering the essentially hydrophilic interlamellar space of the LDH to one that is hydrophobic and able to solubilize neutral molecules like Anthracene. CT interaction as driving force, involves pre-functionalization of the galleries of the LDH with a donor species e.g. 4-aminobenzoic acid by conventional ion exchange methods to form a LDH-donor intercalated compound. This compound can selectively adsorb acceptor species like Chloranil, Tetracyanoquinodimethane etc. into the interlamellar space of the solid by forming donor-acceptor complexes. The confined donor-acceptor complexes have been characterized by X-Ray Diffraction, UV-Visible, Fourier Transformed Infra-Red and Raman Spectroscopy, Molecular Dynamics Simulations were able to reproduce the experimental results. One dimensional gold nanostructure like nanorods (AuNRs) have received great attention due to their size dependent optical properties, Extending these applications requires assembling the AuNRs into one-, two- and if possible three-dimensional architectures. Several approaches have been developed to assemble AuNRs in two-orientation modes namely end-to-end and side-to-side. The present study self-assembly of the AuNRs has been achieved by anchoring β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) cavities to the nanorods surface. The host-guest chemistry of β-CD has been exploited to assemble the AuNRs. Our strategy was to use a guest molecule that is capable to link β-CD into 1:2 host-guest fashions to link up two β-CD capped nanorods. The guest molecule chosen for the present study was 1,10-phenanthroline. Linkage between the ends of rods leading to V-shaped rods dimmer assembly and side-to-side assembly was achieved by varying the extent of cyclodextrin capping of the AuNRs followed by the addition of linker, 1,10-phenanthroline. The formation of the assembly was characterized using UV-Visible-Near-IR Spectoscopy and Transmission Electron Microscopy.

L’originalité du manuscrit de thèse est basée sur une preuve de concept selon laquelle il peut être possible de générer IN SITU des matériaux plaquettaires au sein même d’une matrice polymère à renforcer. Cette approche est basée sur une nouvelle voie de préparation de matériaux hybrides à base d’hydroxydes lamellaires. Cette méthode combine une voie de synthèse par polyol et la génération IN SITU de plaquettes inorganiques, en présence d’oligomères BOLA à caractère amphiphile. La voie polyol consiste en l’hydrolyse en milieu alcoolique d’un ou de plusieurs sels acétate métalliques comme précurseur, en vue de former les phases LSH et HDL suivantes, LSH-Zn, LDH-Zn2Al ;-LiAl2. Les BOLA possèdent des segments téléchéliques composés de chaînes hydrophobes terminées par deux groupes anioniques hydrophiles, l’ensemble est neutralisé par un cation ammonium. L'impact de la voie de synthèse IN SITU, les systèmes plaquettaires choisis ainsi que les contre-ions organiques à partir de la morphologie des phases hybrides obtenues, est étudié en comparaison aux mélanges physiques correspondants (EX SITU). Ce manuscrit présente une étude structurale des différents nanocomposites formés ; par le biais d’analyses DRX, complétées par du SAXS (ligne de lumière SWING à Soleil) et de l’imagerie MET. Des bilans matière sur les différentes synthèses IN SITU sont aussi réalisés pour déterminer les rendements de formation et taux de conversion des précurseurs en matériaux lamellaires. Concernant l’approche EX SITU ; les chaines polymère diffusent entre les plaquettes inorganiques, ceci principalement lié à une réaction d’échange entre les anions acétate des phases lamellaires et les fonctions carboxylates des chaines polymère, conservant l’intégrité des feuillets à par un processus topotactique. L’efficacité du processus d’intercalation a été trouvée décroissante suivant LDH-Zn2Al > LDH- LiAl2 >> LSH-Zn. Dans le cas du LSH-Zn, un ensemble stratifié à plusieurs échelles a été observé alliant charpente inorganique initiale intercalé acétate et une partie diffusée du BOLA, conduisant à une structuration dite biphasique. Contre intuitivement, dans le cas des HDL, la voie EX SITU, basée sur la réaction topotactique d'échange, et la voie IN SITU, basée sur la réaction de templating ont donné dans de nombreux cas des résultats similaires en terme d'états de dispersion, et ceci indépendamment du polymère ou du BOLA utilisé ainsi que de la composition des plaquettes. L’observation de plaquettes isolées LSH-Zn, n’a jamais été reportée dans la littérature, ce qui rend alors le processus de synthèse polyol/IN SITU intéressant pour l’obtention d’état de dispersion exfolié pour ce type de particules. La combinaison polyol/IN SITU permet la génération de plaquette LSH ou LDH de taille latérale comprise entre 10 à 200 nm. Cependant, les plaquettes générées se sont révélées poreuses, un inconvénient pour les propriétés de type barrière. Ce résultat ouvre toutefois des perspectives nouvelles en intégrant ces plaquettes 2D poreuses avec des particules de type 1D pour une approche en architecture « tectonique ». / Layered particle based nano-composites have recently been shown to impart stone impact resistance to automotive coatings by making use of polymer intercalated Layered Double Hydroxide (LDH) platelets in a variety of different film morphologies. However the LDH particles used were obtained via coprecipitation of the metal salts in the presence of small organic anions in order to render the Layered Hydroxide particles organophilic and to facilitate the intercalation of carboxylate group bearing matrix polymers. Thus anion exchange in the course of colloidal processing and during film formation leads to the release of ionic species which may deteriorate the coatings barrier function. In order to circumvent objectionable counter ions (involved in the synthesis and the coatings formulation), a novel preparation route for layered hydroxide based hybrid phases has been here investigated combining the polyol route with the IN SITU generation of inorganic platelets, in the presence of amphiphilic polymer as well as bola-amphiphiles. The polyol route consists in hydrolysis in an alcoholic medium containing acetate metal cation as precursor(s), to yield LDH (Zn2Al, LiAl2 cation composition) or LSH-Zn (Layered Single Hydroxide). Bola amphiphile descripts as being some hydrophobic polymer segment-telechelic-chains terminated by two anionic hydrophilic end groups, using of volatile ammonium cation as counter ion. The impact of both process conditions as well as the chosen system with regard to the metal hydroxide framework and the organic counter ions on the morphology of the obtained hybrid phases are presented, discussed and compared to corresponding physical mixture. For the EX SITU approach, the diffusion of large cumbersome polymers or amphiphilic bolas between the inorganic platelets was found to be efficient, mostly driven by an anion exchange reaction between interleaved acetate anions and carboxylate functions of the molecular backbones, and keeping intact the inner-sheet integrity through a topotactic process. The efficiency of the intercalation process was found decreasing to range as LDH-Zn2Al > LDH-LiAl2 >> LSH-Zn, more or less regardless of the guest organic species. Aggregation may happen and cannot be discarded especially when using LiAl2 type platelets and non-neutralized bola. In particular with LSH-Zn, a multi stratified assembly has been observed combining acetate pristine structure and partly bola diffused structure, leading to a biphasic structure, aggregated and intercalated. To the best of our knowledge, observation of LSH-Zn single platelets has never been reported, making of the combined process Polyol/IN SITU an interesting new route in reaching exfoliation. Indeed, it yields to the generation of platelets either LSH or LDH of lateral size ranging between 10 up to 200 nm. However, the platelets were found to be porous; it is considered as a drawback for barrier properties. It is our belief that such porosity may open new insights in “tectonic” architecture by intertwining 2D and 1D-type filler. Rather counter intuitively, EX SITU based on topotactic exchange reaction matches the IN SITU templating reaction in many cases as a function of the dispersion state regardless of the polymer or bolas as well as the platelets cation composition.

The Aurora Soil Capping study, located in northern Alberta, was constructed to evaluate reclamation practices on lean oil sands dumps. The challenges relating to its success includes determining the appropriate soil cover design(s) for the coarse textured reclamation soil, while utilizing available salvaged natural soils, some of which contain residual bitumen in the form of aggregate oil sand material (AOSM). Limited research on this material raises key questions as to the impact it will play on transport and retention processes, along with potential contamination from hydrocarbon leaching. The research conducted sought to answer these questions. This thesis describes laboratory studies conducted on four soils; the upper organic LFH layer, Bm, BC and subsoil material while varying the amount of AOSM and implementing layering schemes. Material characterization through organic carbon and particle size analysis as well as hydrophobicity studies on AOSM through contact angle analysis were performed. A tension table and pressure plates, along with columns equipped with Time Domain Reflectometry probes, were used for water retention studies. Hydraulic conductivity was measured through constant head methods. To address hydrocarbon leaching concerns, chloride tracer studies were performed and the column outflow was analyzed using Gas Chromatography to detect the hydrocarbon type and concentration. Results from water retention and hydraulic conductivity studies indicated that although the AOSM was hydrophobic, its placement at varying concentrations and forms did not create consistent significant differences in the amount of moisture retained or transported. Results from the column studies showed that under steady state and transient conditions AOSM could result in decreasing infiltration rates and increasing chloride retention. The integration of soil layers further slowed the infiltration rate and delayed chloride transport. Under saturated conditions the presence of higher concentrations of AOSM appeared to increase the rate of water movement. Although these differences were minimal, further studies are required to explore this behavior. Overall, it can be concluded that with appropriate material placement, the addition of layering schemes and hydrocarbon material, the potential exists to increase soil water content in the upper layers of the soil, thereby increasing soil water storage for plant use.

Many practical cases of fracture can be considered as one-dimensional, that is, propagating in one dimension and characterised by opening (mode I) and shearing (mode II) action only with no tearing (mode III) action. A double cantilever beam (DCB) represents the most fundamental one-dimensional fracture problem. There has however been considerable confusion in calculating its mixed-mode energy release rate (ERR) partition. In this work, new and completely analytical mixed-mode partition theories are developed for one-dimensional fractures in isotropic homogeneous and laminated composite DCBs, based on linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM) and using the Euler and Timoshenko beam theories. They are extended to isotropic homogeneous and laminated composite straight beam structures and isotropic homogeneous plates based on the Kirchhoff-Love and Mindlin-Reissner plate theories. They are also extended to non-rigid elastic interfaces for isotropic homogeneous DCBs. A new approach is used, based on orthogonal pure fracture modes. Two sets of orthogonal pairs of pure modes are found. They are distinct from each other in the present Euler beam and Kirchhoff-Love plate partition theories and coincide on the first set in the present Timoshenko beam and Mindlin-Reissner plate partition theories. After the two sets of pure modes are shown to be unique and orthogonal, they are used to partition mixed modes. Interaction is found between the mode I and mode II modes of the first set in the present Euler beam and Kirchhoff-Love plate partition theories. This alters the ERR partition but does not affect the total ERR. There is no interaction in the present Timoshenko beam or Mindlin-Reissner plate partition theories. The theories distinguish between local and global ERR partitions. Local pureness is defined with respect to the crack tip. Global pureness is defined with respect to the entire region mechanically affected by the crack. It is shown that the global ERR partition using any of the present partition theories or two-dimensional elasticity is given by the present Euler beam or Kirchhoff-Love plate partition theories. The present partition theories are extensively validated using the finite element method (FEM). The present beam and plate partition theories are in excellent agreement with results from the corresponding FEM simulations. Approximate 'averaged partition rules' are also established, based on the average of the two present beam or plate partition theories. They give close approximations to the partitions from two-dimensional elasticity. The propagation of mixed-mode interlaminar fractures in laminated composite beams is investigated using experimental results from the literature and various partition theories. The present Euler beam partition theory offers the best and most simple explanation for all the experimental observations. It is in excellent agreement with the linear failure locus and is significantly closer than other partition theories. It is concluded that its excellent performance is either due to the failure of materials generally being based on global partitions or due to the through-thickness shear effect being negligibly small for the specimens tested. The present partition theories provide an excellent tool for studying interfacial fracture and delamination. They are readily applicable to a wide-range of engineering structures and will be a valuable analytical tool for many practical applications.

Os hidróxidos duplos lamelares (HDLs) compreendem uma extensa classe de materiais naturais e sintéticos, cujas estruturas e propriedades são frequentemente comparadas com as do mineral hidrotalcita. O estudo da intercalação de espécies de interesse farmacológico em HDLs tem ganhado a atenção da comunidade científica. O objetivo desta Dissertação foi o estudo da intercalação e liberação da espécie antioxidante N-acetil-L-cisteína (NAC) em HDLs de zinco-alumínio (Zn2Al-NAC) e magnésio-alumínio (Mg2Al-NAC). Espécies antioxidantes de modo geral apresentam características como baixa estabilidade química frente à luz e ao calor, sensibilidade ao valor do pH do meio e, algumas, baixa solubilidade. HDLs podem ser utilizados como carregadores de espécies antioxidantes para contornar as características indesejadas supracitadas. Os HDLs foram sintetizados através do método de coprecipitação, utilizando diferentes condições experimentais. Os materiais obtidos foram caracterizados por técnicas estruturais, espectroscópicas, térmicas, texturais e de análise química elementar. A liberação foi estudada através de experimentos in vitro de NAC intercalada ou imobilizada em HDL, empregando meio biológico simulado, nos métodos dinâmico e estático. Os difratrogramas de raios X das amostras de HDL de zinco mostram que a síntese realizada a 55°C conduz à formação de material de alta cristalinidade e reflexão (003) igual a 16,3 Å. O material possui partículas planas e com baixo grau de agregação. Os resultados de espectroscopia vibracional e 13C-RMN confirmam a manutenção da integridade estrutural da NAC após intercalação e, ainda, sugerem que ocorreu a desprotonação dos grupos carboxílico e tiol. As lamelas possuem sítios distintos de alumínio hexacordenado, segundo o espectro de 27Al-RMN. O conjunto de técnicas de caracterização indicam a substituição de parte dos íons hidroxila das lamelas pelo oxigênio do grupo carboxilato da NAC. Os ensaios de liberação in vitro sugerem um processo modificado (prolongado) da NAC, visto que no método dinâmico foi liberado 35% dessa espécie em 96 horas, enquanto no método estático ocorreu a liberação de 20%. As análises estratigráficas após o ensaio comprovam que ocorreu a liberação apenas das regiões mais externas do comprimido. Os resultados das sínteses do HDL de magnésio não indicam a intercalação da NAC para essa matriz, mesmo empregando diferentes parâmetros experimentais. A espectroscopia Raman sugere que ocorreu a oxidação parcial dos ânions de NAC devido ao aparecimento da banda de estiramento νS-S (508 cm-1). O espectro de 13C-RMN concorda com o resultado da espectroscopia Raman. Os dados de liberação in vitro corroboram a proposta de que a NAC está apenas imobilizada na superfície do HDL, visto que no método estático levou-se 12 horas para liberar 90% da NAC, sugerindo uma liberação rápida. As análises estratigráficas dos materiais após os testes de liberação dos dois métodos comprovam liberação total da NAC. / Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) comprise an extensive class of natural and synthetic materials, which structures and properties are often compared to those of hydrotalcite mineral. The study about intercalation of species of pharmacological interest into LDHs has gained the attention of the scientific community. The aim of this Dissertation was to investigate the intercalation and release of the antioxidant N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) into LDHs of zinc-aluminum (Zn2Al-NAC) and magnesium-aluminum (Mg2Al-NAC) composition. Antioxidant species generally exhibit characteristics such as low chemical stability towards light and heat, sensitivity to the pH value of the medium and, some of them, low solubility. LDHs can be used as carriers of antioxidant species to circumvent the undesirable properties. LDHs were synthesized using the coprecipitation method and exploiting different experimental conditions. The obtained materials were characterized by structural, spectroscopic, thermal, textural and elemental chemical analysis techniques. The release of intercalated or immobilized NAC was studied by in vitro experiments in simulated biological medium, using the dynamic and static methods. The X-ray diffractograms of LDH samples of zinc show that the synthesis performed at 55°C leads to a high crystalline material and the (003) reflection equal to 16.3 Å. The material has flat particles and a low degree of aggregation. The results of vibrational spectroscopy and 13C-NMR confirm the structural integrity of NAC after intercalation, and also suggest that the deprotonation of the carboxylic and thiol groups occurred. The LDH layer has distinct sites of hexacoordinate aluminum, according to the 27Al-NMR spectroscopy. The set of characterization techniques indicates the partial substitution of hydroxide ions in the layers by the oxygen of NAC carboxylate group. The in vitro assays of NAC release suggest a modified (prolonged) process, since 35% of this species was released in 96 h in the dynamic method while occurred 20% of release in the static method. Stratigraphic analyzes of the LDH-NAC tablet after the release test demonstrate that only the species of the outermost regions of the tablet were delivered. The results of magnesium-LDH syntheses do not indicate the intercalation of NAC into the matrix, even using different experimental parameters. Raman spectroscopy suggests that partial oxidation of NAC anions occurred due to the appearance of the band assigned to νS-S (508 cm-1). The 13C-NMR spectrum of Mg2Al-NAC agrees with the result of Raman spectroscopy. In vitro release data corroborate the proposition that NAC is only immobilized on the LDH surface, since it took 12 h to release 90% of NAC in the static method, suggesting a rapid process. The stratigraphic analyzes of the material after the release tests by the two methods confirm the total release of NAC.

O presente trabalho de Doutorado tem como objetivo investigar a influência de materiais lamelares prístinos e modificados e a influência de diferentes rotas sintéticas nas propriedades físico-químicas do amido termoplástico, utilizando glicerol como plastificante. Para tanto, empregou-se para a produção dos materiais híbridos uma argila sintética da família das hectoritas (Laponita RD) na forma prístina e também modificada com íons berberine e carnosina, além de um hidróxido duplo lamelar (HDL) constituído por íons Zn2+/Al3+ intercalado com carboximetilcelulose (CMC). O amido e o material lamelar foram combinados, utilizando as metodologias de casting e extrusão, nas concentrações de 2,5 e 5,0 % (m/m) de argila ou HDL com relação ao polissacarídeo. Já quantidade de plastificante empregada foi variável, dependendo da rota de preparação empregada, sendo de aproximadamente 20 % (m/m) via casting e 30 % (m/m) via extrusão com relação ao amido. Conforme mostram os difratogramas de raios X dos filmes obtidos pelo método casting, todos os filmes contendo argila em sua composição exibem um sinal largo de difração na região de baixo ângulo de 2θ, embora pouco intenso, indica a existência de certa quantidade de nanocompósito do tipo intercalado. Já para os materiais obtidos via extrusão, os sinais de difração em baixo ângulo são consideravelmente alargados e muito pouco intensos. A propriedade térmica do amido termoplástico foi piorada em todos os casos estudados nos materiais contendo argila ou HDL em sua composição. A presença de carga inorgânica na formulação dos materiais híbridos preparados não retardou o processo de decomposição não-oxidativo do amido. A presença de uma maior quantidade de glicerol nos materiais obtidos por extrusão resultou em uma antecipação ainda maior no principal evento de perda de massa, em comparação com os mesmos materiais obtidos via casting. Devido à alta característica hidrofílica do amido, materiais lamelares intercalados com espécies que possuem maior caráter hidrofílico, como a Laponita prístina (contendo apenas íons Na+) e a carnosina mostraram uma melhor dispersão pela matriz polimérica, através da análise por técnicas de microscopia. Adicionalmente, observou-se uma melhor homogeneidade de distribuição da fase lamelar na fase polimérica nos filmes obtidos por casting em comparação com os materiais obtidos por extrusão. Os resultados mecânicos de todos os materiais híbridos analisados mostram tendências pouco conclusivas com relação ao amido termoplástico. Em geral, observa-se uma melhora muito sutil na máxima resistência a tração com a presença de material lamelar na composição dos materiais testados, além de uma diminuição na elongação máxima. Da mesma forma, a permeabilidade a gases dos filmes contendo argila ou HDL em sua composição mostrou resultados pouco conclusivos com relação ao amido termoplástico, geralmente exibindo uma redução modesta na permeabilidade. A investigação do perfil de biodegradação dos materiais contendo fase lamelar em sua composição mostrou que apenas a amostra contendo Laponita modificada com carnosina obtida por extrusão foi capaz de retardar significativamente a conversão do carbono das cadeias poliméricas em CO2, com relação ao amido termoplástico. / This present Thesis aimed to investigate the influence of pristine and modified layered materials and the influence of different preparation routes on the physicochemical properties of thermoplastic starch, using glycerol as plasticizer. To reach this goal, it was used to produce hybrid materials a synthetic clay belonging to the hectorite family (Laponite RD) in both pristine form and modified with berberine and carnosine ions and also a layered double hydroxide (LDH) comprised of Zn2+/Al3+ ions intercalated with carboxymethylcellulose (CMC). Both starch and the layered material were combined using casting and extrusion methodologies, using concentrations of 2.5 and 5.0 % (w/w) of clay or LDH relative to starch. The amount of plasticizer utilized was variable, depending on the preparation route employed. It was used approximately 20 % (w/w) of glycerol on casting route and 30 % (w/w) on extrusion route relative to starch. According to X ray diffractograms of the films obtained by casting route, all hybrid films that contain clay in their composition exhibit a large diffraction signal at low 2θ angle values, albeit its low intensity, indicates the existence of a certain contribuition of a intercalated nanocomposite. On the other hand, the hybrid materials obtained through extrusion method, these low angle diffraction signals are very broad and possess very low intensity. The thermal properties of thermoplastic starch were worsened in all studied cases after combined with clay or LDH. The presence of inorganic filler on the formulation of hybrid materials does not postpone the beginning of the non-oxidative decomposition process of starch. A higher amount of glycerol on the final materials obtained through extrusion resulted in an even greater anticipation on the main mass loss event in comparison to the analogous materials obtained using casting technique. Due to the high hydrophilic nature of starch, layered materials intercalated with ionic species that show higher hydrophilicity such as pristine Laponite (containing solely Na+ ions) and carnosine exhibited better dispersion through the polymer matrix, after being analyzed with microscopic techniques. Additionaly, it was observed a higher homogeneity of distribution of the layered phase over the polymer phase on the films obtained through casting in comparison to the materials obtained through extrusion. The tensile tests of all analyzed hybrid materials show a poorly conclusive trend in comparison to thermoplastic starch. In general, it was observed a subtle improvement on the maximum tensile strength of the materials containing layered material in their composition and also a decrease in the maximum elongation. In a same trend, gas permeability of the films was poorly conclusive in comparison to thermoplastic starch, generally resulting in a subtle reduction of permeability values. The investigation of biodegradation profile of the materials containing inorganic filler show that only Laponite modified with carnosine ions was able to postpone significatively the conversion of carbon from the polymer chains to CO2 in comparison to thermoplastic starch.

Bilayers formed by molecules that possess long alkyl hydrophobic tails are ubiquitous in the natural world manifesting both in biological systems as well as in chemistry. The lipid bilayer is an integral feature of cell membranes of living systems with functions that are of critical importance to the life of the cell. Long chain amphiphilic surfactant molecules can be introduced within the interlamellar region of layered inorganic host lattices to form anchored alkyl chainbilayerswithinthegalleries.Theintercalatedbilayerbearsastriking resemblance to lipid bilayers. However, unlike lipid bilayers where individual molecules can undergo lateral diffusion and also flip-flop between layers the anchored bilayer is characterized by the total absence of translational mobility. The degrees of freedom of the alkyl chains of the anchored bilayer are restricted to changes in conformation. This thesis describes a detailed investigation of the anchored bilayer formed by the intercalation of the anionic surfactant dodecyl sulphate (DDS) in a layered solid, Mg-Al Layered Double Hydroxide(Mg-AlLDH) using both experimental measurements and Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations (Chapter 2). The thesis is organized as two parts. The first (Chapters 2 -4) deals with the anchored bilayer in the condensed phase -the conditions for the formation of the bilayer arrangement of the intercalated surfactant chains and the conformation and dynamics of the alkyl chains of the surfactant in the galleries of the layered solid. The surfactant intercalated Mg-AlLDH-DDS may be delaminated in nonpolar solvents to give colloidal dispersions of individual Mg-Al LDH sheets with the DDS surfactant chains remaining tethered to the inorganic sheets(Scheme 1).The second part of thesis(Chapters 5 -9)describe studies on the dispersions of the Mg-AlLDH-DDS in toluene. A summary of the results of the of the investigations of the anchored bilayer, formed by the intercalation of DDS ions in Mg-Al LDH, in the condensed and the dispersed phases is presented in the concluding chapter(Chapter10). Layered Double Hydroxides(LDH) are insulating lamellar solids of the general chemical formula[M’(1-x) Mx(OH)2], where M’ is a divalent metal ion and M a trivalent ion. Their structure may be derived from that of Brucite, Mg(OH)2, by isomorphous substitution of apart of the Mg2+ by trivalent ions like Al3+ with electrical neutrality maintained by interlamellar exchangeable ions. The studies reported in this thesis are on an Mg-Al LDH,Mg(1−x)Alx(OH)2, x ranging from 0.17 to 0.37. Dodecyl sulphate surfactant ions have been ion-exchange intercalated in Mg-AlLDH (Chapter 3). By varying the Mg-Al ratio, differing packing densities of the surfactant chains in the interlamellar space of the Mg-Al LDH-DDS are realized. At high packing densities the alkyl chains of the intercalated dodecyl sulphate ions anchored on opposing Mg-Al LDH sheets are arranged as bilayers while at lower packing densities the surfactant chains form a monolayer with the chains oriented flat in the galleries. This composition driven monolayer to bilayer transformation in the surfactant intercalated Mg-AlLDH-DDS is also reproduced by MD simulations. The simulations also indicate that there are profound differences in the factors that decide the arrangement of the surfactant chains. In the bilayer arrangement it is dispersive van der Waals interactions between the chains in opposing layers that is responsible for the cohesive energy of the solid whereas at lower packing densities, where a monolayer arrangement is favored, Coulomb interactions between the positively charged Mg-Al LDH sheets and the negatively charged head-group of the DDS anion dominate. The conformation and dynamics of the alkyl chains of the intercalated surfactant chains in both the monolayer and bilayer arrangements as well as the effect of packing density on these parameters is reported in Chapter 4. The conformation was studied using spectroscopic techniques, infra-red, Raman and 13C Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) while the dynamics by Variable Contact Time Cross Polarization Magic Angle Spinning(VCT -CPMAS) and2DWidelineSeparation(2DWiSe)NMR techniques. The results showed the expected trends; the concentration of gauche defects and the dynamics of the chains increase with decreasing packing density. There is, however a sharp increase in the gauche concentration and conformational mobilities of the intercalated surfactant chains associated with the bilayer to monolayer transformation. The results of the MD simulations, too, reflect these trends. The second part of thesis describes the delamination of the intercalated anchored bilayer (Mg-AlLDH-DDS) in non-polar solvents. Delamination results in a colloidal dispersion Of the anchored bilayer, isolated Mg-AlLDH sheets with the DDS chains tethered to them, as neutral nanosheets of nanometer thickness and micron size. With increasing concentration of the anchored bilayers in the solvent a gel state is realized. The sol to gel transformation of the dispersions of the anchored bilayer in toluene has been investi-gated. Frequency dependent rheology measurements (Chapter6) were used to investigate the visco-elastic properties of the dispersions and Small Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS) measurements(Chapter 7) to understand the structure and shape of the nanosheets. The rheology experiments showed that the dispersions irrespective of their concentrations showed shear thinning. The SAXS results indicate a tactoid structure of the dispersions as well as in the gel phase. At higher concentrations, the X-ray scattering curves indicated that the layers stack loosely with an interlamellar space of ~ 39 Å , a value much larger than the interlayer lattice spacing of solid Mg-AlLDH-DDS( ~ 27 Å). The nature of interactions between solvent molecules and the anchored DDS chains were probed by 1Hand 2H NMR measurements(Chapter8). A clear association between the toluene molecules and the alkyl chains of the anchored surfactant was observed. 2D NOESY experiments established that there are toluene molecules in close proximity that interact with the methyl tail of the anchored surfactant. NMR measurements were also able to distinguish two types of solvent molecules based on their widely differing mobilities. MD simulations(Chapter9)of the dispersed anchored bilayer are able to reproduce the essential features of the experimental observations including the formation of a loosely bound lamellar structure. It also provides an explanation on how the spectroscopic observation of motional heterogeneity gives rise to the viscoelastic properties of the dispersed anchored bilayer.