Abstract: An activated silicon-containing aluminum complex containing minor amounts of halogen, silicon, oxygen and hydrogen, the silicon being present in amounts of at least trace and having a hexagonal structure; the ratio of oxygen to hydrogen in the complex usually being 16:18. A process for making such complex comprises the steps of treating substantially pure aluminum with acid, then with mercury, then with a halogen acid again to form a slurry therein; said slurry is then applied under heat and low humidity to an aluminum material containing trace to about 2% by weight silicon to form a growth of powder thereon; this powder is then treated with a flow of hydrogen to form the complex which is capable of releasing oxygen and hydrogen from an oxygen and hydrogen-containing fluid.