Tuning surface d charge of Ni-Ru alloys for unprecedented catalytic activity towards hydrogen generation from ammonia borane hydrolysis

The central task in efficient heterogeneous catalysis process lies in exploring catalysts with simultaneous superior performance and low cost. The construction of active sites based on low content of noble and non-noble metals is regard as a promising but challenging strategy for the rational design of catalysts. Herein, we report that a NiRu alloy anchored on surface of nitrogen-doped carbon-coated titanium dioxide showed the highest catalytic activity (2.51 × 105 mL·min−1·gRu−1) for NH3BH3 hydrolysis at 298 K. The unprecedented activity is beyond previous reports. The alloy effect in NiRu alloy and the metal-support interaction between alloy and composite support tune the surface d charge. From experimental and DFT simulation results, the optimized surface d charge is positively corresponding to the low active energy in water and ammonia borane molecule activation. This study opens up a new way for the rational design of highly effective non-noble metal heterogeneous catalysts.