A research team from Nottingham University's School of Chemistry has collaborated with Birmingham and Cardiff Universities to develop a groundbreaking catalyst for hydrogen production from ammonia. The catalyst consists of nanosized ruthenium clusters attached to graphitized carbon, which efficiently split ammonia into hydrogen and nitrogen. Dr. Jesum Alves Fernandes highlighted the unique approach of growing ruthenium clusters from individual atoms to ensure maximum surface availability for reactions. The researchers employed magnetron sputtering to fabricate the catalyst, enabling a solvent-free and highly active material. Surprisingly, the activity of ruthenium nanoclusters increased over time, a rare phenomenon in catalysts, attributed to atomic-level transformations that maximize active sites. The discovery of stable nano-pyramids on carbon surfaces evolving during high-temperature reactions is a significant finding. Professor Andrei Khlobystov emphasized the catalyst's potential for sustainable energy technologies and a zero-carbon future. Funded by the EPSRC Programme Grant 'MASI', this work paves the way for efficient hydrogen generation and contributes to the development of catalyst materials for green energy sources.