Synthesis, structural, thermal, and morphological characterization of Ru(III) complex with gatifloxacin and its utility to obtain RuO₂ nanostructures

In this work, the reaction between the drug gatifloxacin (as a ligand) with Ru(III) ions was investigated and the resulting complex was structurally and morphologically characterized. The structural properties of the complex were assessed using elemental analyses, molar conductance, thermogravimetry, UV-Vis, and IR spectroscopies, where the morphological characteristics were evaluated using SEM-EDX and XRD methods. The analyses suggested that two ligand molecules were coordinated to the Ru(III) ion via the nitrogen atoms of piperazine rings. The complex was formulated as [Ru(L)₂(Cl)₂]Cl, where the Ru(III) ion has a six-coordinate mode, and the coordination sphere is complemented by chlorine atoms. The interaction of the ligand with the Ru(III) ions leads to the product having an organized smooth plate-like structure with a main diameter of 39.42 nm. The RuO₂ oxide in the nanoscale range was generated by the thermal decomposition of the [Ru(L)₂(Cl)₂]Cl complex at 600 ^oC for 3 hours. SEM micrographs indicated that the RuO₂ material possesses uniform and organized microstructures with many internal cavities enabling it to be used as a catalyst for the heterogeneous degradation of dyes and organic pollutants.