Synthesis and Characterization of Activated Carbon-Supported PdRu Nanoparticles Decorated With Different Proportions of Co for Ammonia-Borane Hydrolysis

Abstract

In this study, palladium (Pd), ruthenium (Ru), and cobalt (Co) nanoparticles (NP) supported on activated carbon (AC) (denoted as PdRu/AC@1% Co) were successfully synthesized via the impregnation-reduction method. The structural and surface characteristics of the catalyst were thoroughly analyzed by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The catalytic performance of PdRu/AC@1% Co with different atomic ratios was evaluated for hydrogen generation through the hydrolysis of ammonia borane (NH3BH3, AB). Compared to monometallic (Pd) and bimetallic (PdRu) systems, the trimetallic PdRu@Co catalyst exhibited significantly enhanced catalytic activity, even at low temperatures. Under optimized conditions (1 mmol of AB, 50 mg of catalyst, 25 degrees C), the highest turnover frequency (TOF) value of 312.8 (molH2 )/(molcat<middle dot>min) was achieved. The activation parameters for the hydrolysis reaction were calculated as activation energy (E a) = 19.6 kJ/mol, enthalpy change (Delta H #) = 17.12 kJ/mol, and entropy change (Delta S #) = -184.85 J/(mol<middle dot>K). These findings suggest that PdRu/AC@1% Co is a highly efficient and reusable catalyst, making it a promising candidate for practical hydrogen production from AB.