Efficient Ru/Y2O3 Catalyst Derived from Ru Nanoparticles on Yttrium Carbonate for Production of Hydrogen from Ammonia Decomposition

Abstract

Hydrogen production from decomposition of ammonia is one of the promising methods to solve the problem of hydrogen storage and transportation. Currently, ruthenium‐based catalysts are widely recognized as highly active catalysts for ammonia decomposition reaction. Here, Ru nanoparticles (NPs) on yttrium oxide derived from yttrium carbonate precursor (c‐Y2O3) was successfully prepared by impregnation method. A hydrogen production rate up to 31.5 mmol gcat−1 min−1 can be obtained over the 5% Ru/c‐Y2O3 catalyst at 450 °C with a weight hour space velocity (WHSV) of 30000 mL gcat−1 h−1, and the activity is stable during a test period of 120 hours. Characterization results reveal that high metal dispersion of Ru NPs, strong metal‐support interaction, high concentration of oxygen vacancies and suitable basicity of Ru/c‐Y2O3 catalyst all have a strong influence on the catalytic performance in ammonia decomposition. NH3 temperature‐programmed surface reaction (NH3‐TPSR) results indicate that a strong NH3 adsorption activation and binding desorption of nitrogen ability on the surface of Ru/c‐Y2O3 catalysts are also beneficial for the high activity. These results provide a reference for the design of efficient Ru‐based ammonia decomposition catalysts for hydrogen production by tuning the precursor of Y2O3 support.