Thermally induced transformations in polyoxometalate-pillared hydrotalcites

Thermal decomposition of magnesium-aluminum hydrotalcites intercalated with four different polyoxometalate anions (V₁₀O₂₈ ⁶⁻,Cr₂O₇ ²⁻, W₇O₂₄ ⁶⁻or Mo₇O₂₄ ⁶⁻) was examined. The studied samples were prepared by the ion-exchange procedure starting from the parent carbonate-containing hydrotalcite. The successful synthesis was confirmed by powder X-ray diffraction and chemical analysis. The samples decomposed in two or three essential steps forming finally mixed metal oxides. The dichromate-containing hydrotalcite showed a thermal reduction of Cr⁶⁺ to Cr³⁺ ions. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.