Synthesis of alkali-metal cobalt kambaldaite by precipitation method

Alkali-metal cobalt kambaldaite (alkali-metal cobalt carbonate hydroxide hydrate; ideal structure, M₂Co₈(CO₃)₆(OH)₆ · 6H₂O; M-CoKBL) was prepared by the addition of a cobalt nitrate solution into a solution containing a large excess of alkali-metal bicarbonate followed by aging at 50 °C for 2–3 h. Hydrated alkali-metal ions are present in the channels of the kambaldaite structure; therefore, we tried to ion-exchange the K-CoKBL sample with various metals. However, collapse of the kambaldaite structure took place easily because of low pH of the ion-exchange solution. The catalytic activity of Co₃O₄ obtained by the calcination of “ion-exchanged” K-CoKBL was dependent on the residual potassium content in the catalyst.