Strong Metal‒support Interaction Modulates Catalytic Activity of Ru Nanoparticles on Gd2O3 for Efficient Ammonia Decomposition

Summary: Exploration of efficient Ru-based catalysts is significant for advancing the production of hydrogen from ammonia decomposition, which depends predominantly on the rational regulation of the metal-support interaction of Ru-based catalysts. Herein, highly dispersed Ru nanoparticles (NPs) on Gd2O3 (Ru/Gd2O3) are developed and applied for the NH3 decomposition reaction. By varying the reduction temperature, the activity of the Ru/Gd2O3 catalyst can be remarkably improved. Characterization results reveal that the enhanced activity is associated with the strong metal‒support interaction (SMSI) induced formation of Gd2O3 overlayer on the Ru NPs. With a relatively low reduction temperature, the exposed Ru NPs possess relatively low activity toward NH3 decomposition. After high temperature activation treatment, the Gd2O3 overlayer coated Ru NPs show much enhanced intrinsic activity than that of the exposed Ru NPs. This study brings a facile strategy to modulate the catalytic performance of oxide supported Ru catalysts by regulating the SMSI of catalysts.