Encapsulation of Ru nanoparticles within NaY zeolite for ammonia decomposition

Uniform and minuscule Ru particles confined in NaY zeolite (Ru@NaY) are prepared via a simple in situ synthesis technique. Transmission electron microscopy studies indicate that the Ru particles are encapsulated within the micropores of NaY zeolite and form a uniform size of 1.5-3.5 nm. Thanks to the effective confinement of Ru particles within the NaY zeolite, as well as the high concentration of B-5 sites and basic sites, the prepared Ru@NaY catalysts show excellent NH3 decomposition activity and highly efficient H-2 formation. Notably, the 0.1Ru@NaY catalyst achieves a 92.7% NH3 conversion and a H-2 formation rate of 690 mmol min(-1)<middle dot>g(Ru)(-1) at 500 degrees C and GHSV = 9000 mLNH(3)<middle dot>g(cat)(-1)<middle dot>h(-1) and shows outstanding stability throughout a 95-h lifetime test. The encapsulation synthesis of Ru clusters in zeolites endows the catalysts with exceptional catalytic activities and excellent stability, thus providing new prospects for the production of H-2 from NH3 decomposition.