Highly efficient ruthenium and ruthenium–platinum cluster-derived nanocatalysts for hydrogen production via ethanol steam reforming

Alumina-supported Ru and Ru–Pt nanoparticles, obtained by the decarbonylation of organometallic cluster precursors, were found to be highly active and selective catalysts for ethanol steam reforming. These catalysts outperformed a commercial Ru/Al2O3 catalyst, as well as catalysts that had been prepared from inorganic salts using the conventional impregnation method. The highly dispersed nanoparticles derived from cluster precursors were much smaller than the salt-derived nanoparticles, as evidenced by TEM and powder XRD studies; this might account for the improved catalytic performance of the cluster-derived catalysts. Finally, EDX studies suggest that Pt played a role in resisting coke formation in both cluster- and salt-derived catalysts.