Preparation of M⁰ metal/alumina-pillared mica composites (M=Cu, Ni, Co) by the reduction of M²⁺ ions in the interlayer micropores of the pillared micas

Abstract

Almina-pillared fluorine micas (APMs) form micropores in the interlayer and exhibit cation exchangeability. This study dealt with the reduction of M²⁺ cations (M=Cu, Ni, Co) in the interlayer regions of the cation exchanged APMs using polyols as reducing agents for obtaining M⁰/APM composites. When refluxed in ethylene glycol under a nitrogen atmosphere, the Cu⁰/APM composite was formed by the reduction of Cu²⁺ into Cu⁰ although the reduction of Ni²⁺ and Co²⁺ into corresponding zero-valence metals was not occurred. On the other hand, when refluxed in triethylene glycol in the same manner, the M⁰/APM composites (M=Cu, Ni, Co) were formed.