Malays. J. Anal. Sci. Volume 30 Number 3 (2026): 1706

 

Research Article

 

Optimizing the synthesis of silver nanoparticle-modified Mg/Al LDH via response surface methodology for controlled nanofiller loading in natural rubber latex

 

Puteri Nur Ainin Sofiya Putra Mohd Yamani,1 Mohd Aidil Adhha Abdullah,1,2 Norhanifah Mohd Yazid,3 Ruslimie Che Ali,3 Adila Mohamad Jaafar,4 Norhayati Hashim,5 and Mazidah Mamat,1,2*

 

1 Faculty of Science and Marine Environment, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia

2 Advanced Nano Materials (ANoMa) Research Group, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia

3 Technology and Engineering Division, Rubber Research Institute of Malaysia, 47000, Sg. Buloh, Selangor, Malaysia.

4 Pusat Asasi Sains UPM, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia

5 Faculty of Science and Mathematics, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, 35900 Tanjong Malim, Perak, Malaysia

 

*Corresponding author: mazidahmamat@umt.edu.my

 

Received: 12 October 2025; Revised: 27 April 2026; Accepted: 10 May 2026; Published: 30 June 2026

 

Abstract

The synthesis parameters for preparing silver nanoparticle-modified Mg-Al layered double hydroxide (Mg-Al LDH/AgNP) nanofillers were systematically optimized using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) for natural rubber latex (NRL) applications. The co-precipitation method performed at pH 10 to 11 was employed to ensure the synthesized layered double hydroxides (LDH) suspension would be compatible with the basic NRL environment. Structural analyses confirmed successful synthesis: Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) spectroscopy revealed characteristic nitrate vibrations (1345 cm⁻ą), while X-ray Diffraction (XRD) patterns showed an expanded interlayer spacing (7.9 Ĺ), confirming nitrate as the interlayer anion. RSM with Box-Behnken Design (BBD) was applied using three independent variables - the pH, molar ratio, and concentration of metal nitrate solutions - to optimize LDH yield, resulting in a statistically quadratic model (R˛ > 0.95) with high predictive accuracy. Complementary Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, and Sulfur (CHNS) analysis provided additional structural insights, quantifying water content (2.9 H₂O molecules per formula unit) and yielding the ideal chemical formula [Mg0.75Al 0.25(OH)₂(NO₃)0.43·2.9H₂O]. The results demonstrate that RSM-optimized synthesis enables precise control over LDH production, ensuring tailored nanofiller loading for NRL composites. This approach facilitates the efficient preparation of NRL compounds incorporating LDH nanofillers, advancing the development of high-performance latex materials.

 

Keywords: latex compounding, response surface methodology, Mg-Al layered double hydroxide, controlled loading, silver nanoparticle

 

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