Ruthenium‐Decorated Halloysite Nanoclay for Efficient Hydrogen Generation from Sodium Borohydride Hydrolysis: Structural and Kinetic Insights

ABSTRACT

Developing efficient and reusable catalysts for hydrogen production from chemical hydrides is essential for sustainable energy technologies. Herein, ruthenium (Ru)‐decorated halloysite nanoclay (Ru@HNC, ∼2 wt.% Ru) was synthesized via a simple wet precipitation–reduction method, preserving the natural nanotubular structure while enabling high Ru dispersion. Comprehensive characterization (XRD, TEM/EDX, XPS, and ICP‐OES) confirmed stable Ru impregnation and favorable metal–support interactions. The catalyst was evaluated for hydrogen generation from NaBH ₄ hydrolysis. Kinetic studies revealed an apparent activation energy of 55.47 kJ mol ⁻¹ , with first‐order dependence on catalyst concentration. Under mild conditions, Ru@HNC exhibited a maximum TOF of 17,682 h ⁻¹ , demonstrating its high intrinsic catalytic activity. The catalyst maintained stable hydrogen production over 30 consecutive cycles, indicating good durability under repeated operation. Notably, only 0.4 mg of Ru generated a cumulative 120 mmol of H ₂ , highlighting outstanding noble‐metal utilization efficiency. These findings demonstrate the potential of Ru@HNC as an efficient and reusable catalyst for NaBH ₄ ‐based hydrogen production.