A durable ruthenium catalyst for the NaBH4 hydrolysis

Ru-active carbon (Ru/C) catalysts are prepared by impregnation reduction method for hydrogen generation via hydrolysis of alkaline sodium borohydride (NaBH4) solution. The corresponding activity and durability of the prepared catalysts are tested in an immobile bed reactor. The variation of hydrogen generation rate with the increasing of flux and concentration of NaBH4 solution is measured. The durability of the catalysts prepared under various reductive pH values and reductants is tested by using different concentrations of NaBH4 solution (10 & 15 wt%). It is found that the durability of catalyst in 15 wt% NaBH4 solution is longer than that in 10 wt% NaBH4 solution. The deactivation of Ru/C catalysts is considered as the comprehensive effect of three factors: the loss of Ru, the deposition of byproducts on the catalyst surface and the aggregation of Ru particles.