Synthesis of ruthenium nanoparticles deposited on graphene-like transition metal carbide as an effective catalyst for the hydrolysis of sodium borohydride

• Published in: International journal of hydrogen energy Vol. 39; no. 27; pp. 14927 - 14934
• Main Authors: Li, Xiaojing, Fan, Guangyin, Zeng, Chunmei
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 12.09.2014; Elsevier
• Subjects: Alternative fuels. Production and utilization; Applied sciences; Energy; Exact sciences and technology; Fuels; Hydrogen; Hydrolysis; Ruthenium; Sodium borohydride; Transition metal carbide; Hydrolysis; Ruthenium; Sodium borohydride; Transition metal carbide; Graphene; Hydrogen; Nanoparticle; Transition metal; Hydroborates; Catalyst
• ISSN: 0360-3199; 1879-3487
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2014.07.029

The graphene-like transition metal carbide (Ti3C2X2(X = OH, F)) which was synthesized from etching the layered Ti3AlC2 material was applied as a carrier for depositing Ru nanoparticles (Ru/Ti3C2X2). The as-prepared nanocomposites were characterized by SEM, TEM, XRD, XPS and FTIR. During the hydrolysis process, Ru nanoparticles were uniformly generated on the surface of the carrier and acted as catalysts for the hydrogen generation from hydrolysis of NaBH4 at room temperature. It was found that the catalyst Ru/Ti3C2X2 exhibited excellent catalytic activity toward the hydrolysis of sodium borohydride with a hydrogen generation rate of 59.04 L H2/gRu•min and an activation energy of 22.1 kJ/mol. [Display omitted] •Graphene-like transition metal carbide (Ti2C2X2) stabilized Ru NPs was synthesized.•Ru/Ti2C2X2 exhibits remarkably catalytic activity for NaBH4 hydrolysis.•A high hydrogen generation rate of 59.04 L H2/gRu min under mild conditions