The oxidation of water by cerium(iv) catalysed by nanoparticulate RuO2 on mesoporous silica

Abstract

Mesoporous silicates are prepared by templating on the hexagonal (H₁) mesophase of surfactant bipyridine complexes of ruthenium(II) using a true liquid-crystal templating approach. On calcination, the surfactant template is removed except for the central metal ion that is oxidised, forming nanoparticles of RuO₂ that deposit within the pores. RuO₂ is a known oxidation catalyst and, despite its anhydrous nature in these silicates, is found to be very active in catalyzing the oxidation of water by acidic Ce^IV.