Ruthenium nanoparticles immobilized in montmorillonite used as catalyst for methanolysis of ammonia borane

Ammonia borane (AB) is an intriguing molecular crystal material with extremely high hydrogen density. In the present study, we prepared ruthenium (Ru) nanoparticles immobilized in montmorillonite (MMT) and examine its catalytic effect on the methanolysis reaction of AB. The Ru/MMT catalyst was prepared by cation-exchange method followed by hydrogen reduction at elevated temperatures. Property examinations found that the Ru/MMT catalyst was highly effective and robust for promoting the methanolysis reaction of AB. For example, the methanolysis system employing Ru/MMT catalyst exhibited an average hydrogen generation rate of 29 L min−1 g−1 (Ru). The catalyst at its twentieth usage retained 95% of its initial activity and ensured 100% conversion of AB. Kinetics studies found that the methanolysis reaction of AB employing Ru/MMT catalyst follows first-order kinetics with respect to AB concentration and catalyst amount, respectively.