Impact of Coordination Environment for Designing Ru‐Based Alloy Catalysts for Ammonia Decomposition

L Lu Wei L Likang Lv (State Key Laboratory of Materials Low-Carbon Recycling, College of Materials Science and Engineering) T Tong Han (State Key Laboratory of Materials Low-Carbon Recycling, College of Materials Science and Engineering) P Peiqi Chu (State Key Laboratory of Materials Low‐Carbon Recycling College of Materials Science and Engineering Beijing University of Technology Beijing China) Y Yuxi Liu (State Key Laboratory of Materials Low-Carbon Recycling, College of Materials Science and Engineering) Z Zhenxia Zhao (School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Guangxi Key Laboratory of AI-Driven Zero-Carbon Technologies, Key Laboratory of New Low-carbon Green Chemical Technology Education Department of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region) H Hongxing Dai (State Key Laboratory of Materials Low-Carbon Recycling, College of Materials Science and Engineering) S Suping Cui (State Key Laboratory of Materials Low‐Carbon Recycling College of Materials Science and Engineering Beijing University of Technology Beijing China) Y Yaoyao Zhao (College of Chemistry and Life Science Beijing University of Technology Beijing China) J Jiguang Deng (State Key Laboratory of Materials Low-Carbon Recycling, College of Materials Science and Engineering)

Abstract

Abstract Alloying is an effective strategy to modulate a metal catalyst's electronic structure and optimize its performance, but developing a fundamental design principle has been challenging due to the geometric and electronic disturbance between the active atom and its microenvironment. We introduce a descriptor, coordination impact, which combines ligand and structural effects to quantify the influence of neighboring atoms on the electronic structure of the adsorption site. Using first‐principles simulations, microkinetic model and experimental data, we thoroughly examine the catalytic performance of RuM alloys for ammonia decomposition using this descriptor. The microenvironment influences the activity of adsorption site by modulating the orbital interaction between the active site and adsorbate. The descriptor follows a volcano‐shaped relationship with reaction rates, consistent with Sabatier principle, and the predicted rates are experimentally validated.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 64, Issue 39
Published September 22, 2025
ISSN 1433-7851
Publisher Wiley

Journal Info

Angewandte Chemie International Edition

Wiley

ISSN: 1433-7851 Physical Sciences

Authors (10)

L

Lu Wei

L

Likang Lv

State Key Laboratory of Materials Low-Carbon Recycling, College of Materials Science and Engineering

T

Tong Han

State Key Laboratory of Materials Low-Carbon Recycling, College of Materials Science and Engineering

P

Peiqi Chu

State Key Laboratory of Materials Low‐Carbon Recycling College of Materials Science and Engineering Beijing University of Technology Beijing China

Y

Yuxi Liu

State Key Laboratory of Materials Low-Carbon Recycling, College of Materials Science and Engineering

Z

Zhenxia Zhao

School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Guangxi Key Laboratory of AI-Driven Zero-Carbon Technologies, Key Laboratory of New Low-carbon Green Chemical Technology Education Department of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region

H

Hongxing Dai

State Key Laboratory of Materials Low-Carbon Recycling, College of Materials Science and Engineering

S

Suping Cui

State Key Laboratory of Materials Low‐Carbon Recycling College of Materials Science and Engineering Beijing University of Technology Beijing China

Y

Yaoyao Zhao

College of Chemistry and Life Science Beijing University of Technology Beijing China

J

Jiguang Deng

State Key Laboratory of Materials Low-Carbon Recycling, College of Materials Science and Engineering