The Influence of the Specific Surface Area of the Carbon Support on the Activity of Ruthenium Catalysts for the Ammonia-Decomposition Reaction

A method for fractionation of the starting carbon composite Sibunit by density was used to obtain three samples of Sibunit with different values of the specific surface area: Sib10 at 439 m2/g, Sib13 at 389 m2/g, and Sib17 at 256 m2/g. Investigation of Sibunits using both methods, that is, X-ray diffraction analysis and combination (Raman) scattering spectroscopy, did not reveal significant differences (the parameters of the crystal lattice and the ID/IG ratio). The fractionated supports were used to obtain Ru-containing catalysts for ammonia decomposition reaction (0.1 MPa, 400°C). The dependence of the specific catalytic activity calculated per 1 m2 of the support specific surface a for catalysts of the same composition (4.0% Ru and 13.6% Cs) has an extreme form. The authors connect this with two factors: the blocking support pores contain an active component and a change in features of ruthenium interactions with the promoter (Cs) of the catalyst.