Preparation, Characterization and Solid-State Emission of Metal Complex-Cloisite Nanohybrids (MC-C, M = Ru (II) and Cu (II))

The presence of Na+ in the Cloisite Na+ mineral allows modification of its interlayer space to achieve a better compatibility with the host matrix and ion-exchange with a cationic metal complex. The aim of this research is to prepare two new metal complex-Cloisite (MC-C) nanohybrids using reaction of Cloisite Na+ with the cationic Ru (II) and Cu (II) complexes, [Ru (tpy) 2] 2+ and [Cu (Pir) (phen) (H2O) 2]+, in an aqueous solution for the first time. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis of the modified clays has shown an increase in its interlayer distance as compared to the unmodified Cloisite Na+. The positions of the basal reflections in the XRD patterns of the modified clays were shifted to a higher d value indicating the expansion in their interlayer distances. The field-emission scanning electron microscopy has shown a homogeneous morphology for the modified clays. The thermal behavior of these novel hybrid materials was also investigated by thermogravimetric analysis. The solid state fluorescence spectra of the modified clays have shown that both cationic complexes exhibit a significant fluorescence emission at room temperature when intercalated into Cloisite.