Synthesis of ruthenium nanoparticles deposited on graphene-like transition metal carbide as an effective catalyst for the hydrolysis of sodium borohydride

The graphene-like transition metal carbide (Ti₃C₂X₂(X = OH, F)) which was synthesized from etching the layered Ti₃AlC₂ material was applied as a carrier for depositing Ru nanoparticles (Ru/Ti₃C₂X₂). The as-prepared nanocomposites were characterized by SEM, TEM, XRD, XPS and FTIR. During the hydrolysis process, Ru nanoparticles were uniformly generated on the surface of the carrier and acted as catalysts for the hydrogen generation from hydrolysis of NaBH₄ at room temperature. It was found that the catalyst Ru/Ti₃C₂X₂ exhibited excellent catalytic activity toward the hydrolysis of sodium borohydride with a hydrogen generation rate of 59.04 L H₂/g_Ru•min and an activation energy of 22.1 kJ/mol.