Synthesis and characterization of a new ruthenium containing LDH: [Zn-Al-RuCl5H2O2-]

A new ruthenium containing LDH has been synthesized by exchanging chloride anions in [Zn-Al-Cl] with the aquapentachlororuthenate(III) complex: [RuCl5 H2O](2-). This intercalation has been investigated by various analytical me thods such as powder X-ray diffraction, chemical analysis, FT-IR, thermogra vimetric analysis and cyclic voltammetry. The exchange, carried out in acid ic media, led to a decrease in the Zn/Al molar ratio suggesting a dissoluti on-reconstruction process or the formation of defective hydroxyl sheets. Th e interlayer free spacing and the presence of water molecules make it impos sible to determine the orientation of the complex anion. The electrochemica l study confirms the oxidation state as +3 for the ruthenium ions and demon strates the difficulty in reducing them once intercalated.