INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY, vol.61, pp.367-376, 2024 (SCI-Expanded)
Xanthan is a biopolymer that can easily gelified even at low concentrations owing to its great number of hydroxyl
groups it carries. Preparation of ruthenium nanoparticles (Ru NPs) stabilized in xanthan biopolymer chains was
performed as a result of the interaction of xanthan functional groups and the Ru3+ ions that act as a cross linking
agent. The prepared Xthn@Ru0 biocomposite film was used as catalyst in hydrogen generation via ammonia
borane (NH3⋅BH3) hydrolysis. Xthn@Ru0 biocomposite film catalyst with Ru0 metal composition of 2 mg carried
out the hydrolysis of NH3⋅BH3 (50 mM) with 100% efficiency. The activation energy (Ea) of the Xthn@Ru0
biocomposite film catalyzed NH3⋅BH3 hydrolysis reaction was determined to be 38.8 kJ mol− 1 and the TOF value
to be 29.14 mol H2⋅(mol Ru0
⋅min)− 1 at 30 ◦C. The Ru0 metal content, morphology, elemental distribution, crystal
properties and the oxidation state of the surface elements of Xthn@Ru0 biocomposite catalyst were investigated
by various techniques. In addition to examining the NH3⋅BH3 amount, catalyst amount and temperature effect for
the Xthn@Ru0 biocomposite film catalyzed NH3⋅BH3 hydrolysis reaction, reusability and storing studies were
carried out. The prepared Xthn@Ru0 film catalyst with a biodegradable polymer and low Ru0 metal composition,
catalyzed NH3⋅BH3 hydrolysis reaction without a significant decrease in its beginning activity even after long
storage periods.