Sintering-free catalytic ammonia cracking by vertically standing 2D porous framework supported Ru nanocatalysts

Catalytic ammonia decomposition enables ammonia to be a hydrogen gas carrier for a carbon-free fuel economy. The challenge is to obtain high conversion yields and rates at low temperatures for a prolonged time. A promising approach is to engineer a catalyst support to minimize deleterious effects like sintering. Here, we compared a conventional 2D planar porous framework support with a vertically standing 2D structure to ascertain the effects of support geometry on the catalytic performance. The catalysts were made by loading ruthenium (Ru) nano -particles onto the structures, and the catalytic activities were monitored by varying the ammonia (NH3) feeding rate and reaction temperature. Unlike the planar version, the vertically standing 2D support prevented nano -particle aggregation, retained the original nanoparticle size, and showed an excellent hydrogen production rate (95.17 mmol gRu-1 min-1) at a high flow rate of 32,000 mL gcat-1 h-1 at a temperature of 450 degrees C.

Automated summary

Catalytic ammonia decomposition allows ammonia to be used as a hydrogen gas carrier for carbon-free fuel economy. Using a vertically standing 2D structure as a catalyst support improves conversion yields and rates at low temperatures for a prolonged time.