Abstract

A new ruthenium containing LDH has been synthesized by exchanging chloride anions in [Zn–Al–Cl] with the aquapentachlororuthenate(III) complex: [RuCl₅H₂O]²⁻. This intercalation has been investigated by various analytical methods such as powder X-ray diffraction, chemical analysis, FT-IR, thermogravimetric analysis and cyclic voltammetry. The exchange, carried out in acidic media, led to a decrease in the Zn/Al molar ratio suggesting a dissolution–reconstruction process or the formation of defective hydroxyl sheets. The interlayer free spacing and the presence of water molecules make it impossible to determine the orientation of the complex anion. The electrochemical study confirms the oxidation state as +3 for the ruthenium ions and demonstrates the difficulty in reducing them once intercalated.