Active clusters ensemble effect of bimetallic RuCo alloys for efficient hydrogen production from ammonia borane

Bimetallic alloy nanoparticles (NPs) have proven to be an effective catalyst for hydrogen production from ammonia borane (AB) hydrolysis, but how to explain the relationship between bimetallic catalytic activity and the shape, size and dispersion of bimetallic components has always been a daunting challenge. In this paper, a trace Ru-based bimetallic RuCo alloy catalyst deposited on N-doped porous carbon nanosheets (NPC) was pre-pared through a simple impregnation reduction approach accompanied by the hydrolysis catalysis of AB. The activity of RuxCo1-x/NPC catalyst is mainly contingent on the composition of Ru and Co metals. The high catalytic activity of Ru0.075Co0.925/NPC can be ascribed to the fact that the active cluster ensemble effect of the bimetallic RuCo alloy exhibits the random stacking of rigid geometry and the structure of more d-electron layers without filling, which are conducive to its display of strange catalytic properties that bulk materials do not possess. Moreover, the co-alloying effect between Ru and Co NPs can dramatically improve the hydrolysis performance of AB. The present experimental study will provide a promising approach for high catalytic activity and have the potential of hydrolyzing hydrogen from chemical storage materials.

Automated summary

In this study, a trace Ru-based RuCo bimetallic alloy catalyst was prepared through a simple impregnation reduction approach and the hydrolysis catalysis of ammonia borane (AB). The activity of the catalyst is mainly determined by the composition of Ru and Co metals. The high catalytic activity of Ru0.075Co0.925/NPC can be attributed to the active cluster ensemble effect of the bimetallic RuCo alloy, which exhibits the random stacking of rigid geometry and more d-electron layers without filling, leading to strange catalytic properties. Additionally, the co-alloying effect between Ru and Co NPs improves the hydrolysis performance of AB. This experimental study provides a promising approach for high catalytic activity and the potential of hydrogen production from chemical storage materials.