Ru-based bimetallic alloys for hydrogen generation by hydrolysis of sodium tetrahydroborate

Abstract The present study contemplates the application of Ru-based bimetallic alloys for hydrogen generation by hydrolysis of sodium tetrahydroborate (NaBH 4 ). Ru and Pt, RuCu, RuPd, RuAg and RuPt (atomic ratio 1:1), PtAg, and Ru x Pt y (atomic ratios x : y of 2:1 or 1:2), all supported over titanium oxide, were prepared. Their activity decreased in the order Ru∼Ru 2 Pt 1  > RuPt∼Ru 1 Pt 2  > RuPd > RuAg∼Pt > RuCu > PtAg. Alloying Ru with an inactive metal like Cu, Pd or Ag did not improve the performances of Ru. The catalytic ability of Ru 2 Pt 1 -TiO 2 is in the range of the highest values reported so far in the literature with a hydrogen generation rate of 15.2 L(H 2 ) min −1  g −1 (RuPt). After separation from the reaction medium and rinsing with deionised water, the used Ru 2 Pt 1 -TiO 2 catalyst was re-evaluated and almost the same catalytic activities as fresh catalyst were obtained during several cycles.