Catalytic effect of highly dispersed ultrafine Ru nanoparticles on a TiO2-Ti3C2 support: Hydrolysis of sodium borohydride for H2 generation

To improve the utilization rate of the precious metal, ruthenium, TiO2 nanospheres containing oxygen vacancies are grown on the surface of layered Ti3C2, and superfine Ru nanoparticles are fixed on the surface of TiO2 nanospheres via hydrogen reduction of a Ru precursor. The presence of titanium in a low oxidation state is verified by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, thus confirming the existence of oxygen vacancies. Spherical aberration transmission electron microscopy studies indicate the dispersion of uniform Ru nanoparticles (average diameter: similar to 2 nm) on TiO2, and the existence of a part of Ru in the form of single atoms. The catalyst with 0.33 wt% Ru loading exhibits the best catalytic performance in the hydrolysis of NaBH4 (NaBH4 hydrolysis rate at 303 K is 60 L.min(-1).g(Ru)(-1)). Further, the catalyst performs well even after five cycles of use. (c) 12022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study successfully improved the utilization rate of ruthenium by growing TiO2 nanospheres containing oxygen vacancies on the surface of layered Ti3C2 and fixing superfine Ru nanoparticles. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and spherical aberration transmission electron microscopy confirmed the low oxidation state of titanium and the dispersion of Ru nanoparticles. The catalyst exhibited excellent performance and cyclic stability in the catalytic reaction.