Abstract: The effects of RuCl₃ solution concentration,pH value,and soaking time on the catalyst performance were studied during the preparation of Ru-Ni foam catalysts.The relationship between exothermic reaction and system temperature was also discussed.It was indicated that the average hydrogen generation rate of the catalyst prepared with 0.2 g of Ni foam in 0.025 mol·L^-1 RuCl₃ solution with pH values of 5 to 7 for a soaking time of 25 h was 600 mL·min^-1 in the solution of 15% NaBH₄ and 3% NaOH.When the catalyst was immersed in 20 mL of NaBH₄ solution,the energy released form hydrolyzation could make the system temperature increase to 80 ℃.