Ru dispersed on CeO2{1 0 0} facets boosting the catalytic NH3 decomposition for green H2 generation
Thien An Le, Youngmin Kim, Seung Ju Han, Quoc Cuong, Geo Jong Kim, Younghwan Im, Ho‐Jeong Chae
Abstract
A hydrothermal process was used to prepare CeO2 nanoparticles with mainly {1 0 0} facets and {110,100} facets, and a precipitation method was used to prepare CeO2 nanoparticles with mainly {111,100} facets for supporting Ru in NH3 decomposition studies. CeO2{1 0 0} promoted the formation of partially charged Ru (Ruδ+) species over Ru/CeO2{1 0 0}, leading Ru/CeO2{1 0 0} to perform the highest NH3 decomposition activity by desorbing re-combinative N2 efficiently. Density functional theory calculations have confirmed the Ru dispersed on terminated CeO2{1 0 0} with the high negative Bader charges for decreasing the formation energy of N2. In addition, the Cs addition significantly promotes the catalytic activity, with the optimal molar ratio of Ru observed at 1:1. 1.0Cs-Ru/CeO2{1 0 0} exhibited superior catalytic activity and durability compared to the others. This study proves that CeO2{1 0 0} can improve the electron donation to Ru, which is essential for enhancing N2 re-combinative desorption to elevate the NH3 decomposition activity.