Ruthenium

Ruthenium • Transition Metal

Primary XPS region: Ru3d
Overlapping regions: C1s
Binding energies of common chemical states:

Chemical state	Binding energy Ru3d5/2
Ru metal	280.2 eV
RuO₂	280.7 eV

Oxide charge referenced to adventitious C1s peak at 284.8eV.

Experimental information

N/A

Interpretation of XPS spectra

Ru3d region has significantly split spin-orbit components (D=4.2eV).
- Ru metal and RuO₂ both give asymmetric Ru3d peaks shapes.
- For ruthenium metal and RuO₂, the Ru3d3/2 component is shorter than expected (for a d5/2, d3/2 doublet) and is much broader than the Ru3d5/2 component.
There is a very strong overlap between the Ru3d and C1s regions.
- If possible, peak fit a clean standard ruthenium material to develop the fitting methodology and then add C1s peaks as required (see below).

About this element

Symbol: Ru
Date of discovery: 1844
Name origin: Latin Ruthenia
Appearance: silvery
Discoverer: Karl Karlovich Klaus
Obtained from: pentlandite, pyroxinite

Melting point: 2607 K
Boiling point: 4423 K
Density[kg/m³]: 12370
Molar volume: 8.17 × 10^-6 m³/mol
Protons/Electrons: 44
Neutrons: 57
Shell structure: 2,8,18,15,1
Electron configuration: [Kr]4d75s1
Oxidation state: 2,3,4,6,8
Crystal structure: hexagonal

Ruthenium is a member of the platinum group, which also includes rhodium, palladium, osmium, iridium, and (of course) platinum. Ruthenium rapidly oxidizes, but does not tarnish in normal temperatures. Small amounts of ruthenium can enhance the properties of other elements. Platinum and palladium become harder, while titanium is more resistant to corrosion after the addition of ruthenium. Ruthenium also catalyzes the splitting of hydrogen sulfide and other chemical processes. Ruthenium may have anti-cancer medical applications, as well. This element is primarily found in the Ural Mountains and North and South America.