Ruthenium Oxide

What Does Ruthenium Oxide Mean?

The most common type of ruthenium oxide, ruthenium (IV) oxide, is an inorganic compound in the form of a black colored solid crystal. This oxide is widely used as an oxygen catalyst in the production of chlorine and chlorine oxides.

There are two types of ruthenium oxide:

• Ruthenium (IV) oxide having the chemical formula RuO₂.
• Ruthenium (VIII) oxide having the chemical formula RuO₄.

Corrosionpedia Explains Ruthenium Oxide

Some properties of ruthenium (IV) oxide:

• IUPAC name – ruthenium (IV) oxide
• CAS number – 12036-10-1
• Chemical formula – RuO₂
• Molar mass – 133.068 gram per mol
• Appearance – black blue color solid crystal
• Density – 6.97 gram per cubic cm
• Boiling point – 1200 °C (2192 °F)
• Solubility in water – not soluble

Materials made from ruthenium oxide are used to manufacture fuel cell catalysts and are better than non-carbon based materials because ruthenium oxide offers higher corrosion stability.

Ruthenium oxide powders exhibit higher corrosion stability compared to carbon. Full conversion of RuO₂nH₂O to the RuO₂ phase by post reduction in a hydrogen atmosphere leads to improved conductivity and corrosion stability.