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Updated: Aug 6, 2026
08:40
Synthesis of Metal Nanoparticles Supported on Carbon Nanotube with Doped Co and N Atoms and its Catalytic Applications in Hydrogen Production
Published on: December 6, 2021
Acceptor-Doped Cerium Oxides Enabling Metallic Nanocatalyst Exsolution for Hydrogen Production From Ammonia
Andrés López-García1, Elena Barrio-Querol1, Álvaro Represa1
1Instituto de Tecnología Química (Consejo Superior De Investigaciones Científicas - Universitat Politècnica de València), València, Spain.
Angewandte Chemie (International Ed. in English)
|July 25, 2026
Summary
This study introduces a novel catalyst for sustainable hydrogen production via ammonia decomposition. Gd-doped ceria enables highly dispersed Ru nanoparticles, achieving exceptional activity and stability.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Catalysis
- Sustainable Energy
Background:
- Advanced catalysts are crucial for efficient hydrogen production from ammonia.
- Exsolution is a promising method for creating stable, active nanoparticles on oxide supports.
- CeO2-based systems face challenges with transition metal solubility for exsolution.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop highly active and stable catalysts for ammonia decomposition using exsolution.
- To overcome solubility limitations in CeO2 by incorporating Gd.
- To enhance the dispersion and performance of Ru and Rh nanoparticles on CeO2 supports.
Main Methods:
- Incorporation of Gadolinium (Gd) into the Cerium Oxide (CeO2) lattice.
- Facilitating the exsolution of Ruthenium (Ru) and Rhodium (Rh) nanoparticles.
- Characterization of Ru-exsolved@Ce0.8Gd0.2O2-δ catalysts and performance testing in ammonia decomposition.
Main Results:
- Gd doping enhanced Ru and Rh dissolution and exsolution, forming highly dispersed RuRh alloy nanoparticles (~3 nm).
- The Ru-exsolved@Ce0.8Gd0.2O2-δ catalyst demonstrated superior activity and 260-hour stability in ammonia decomposition compared to Ru-impregnated catalysts.
- The catalyst is among the most active reported for ammonia decomposition at 400 °C.
Conclusions:
- Lattice modification of CeO2 via acceptor doping (Gd) effectively promotes metal exsolution and nanoparticle dispersion.
- This approach yields highly active and stable catalysts for hydrogen generation via ammonia decomposition.
- The findings offer potential for broader applications in other (electro)catalytic systems.
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