TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The inert atmosphere is argon.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Method: The decomposition is effected at 260-300 degrees C. The decomposition is effected in an inert atmosphere at 280-320 degrees C. The decomposition temperature is maintained constant for 2-4 hours.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The diketone is acetylacetonate. EXAMPLE - Vulcan XC-72 (RTM: conductive carbon) (35 g) were suspended in a beaker containing acetone (1 l). The mixture was subjected to vigorous dispersion with a Silverson R (RTM: disperser) for 10 minutes. In a separate flask, Pt(acetylacetonate)2 (21.9 g) and Ru(acetylacetonate)3 (22.2 g) were suspended in acetone (1.5 l). The carbon dispersion was then transferred to the noble metal dispersion, and the resulting mixture was stirred for 30 minutes while the flask was maintained at 25 degrees C by means of a water bath. The slurry so obtained was sonicated for 30 minutes and stirred magnetically overnight. Acetone was then evaporated by placing the flask in a water bath at 60 degrees C. After 6 hours, most of the solvent was removed. A stream of nitrogen was passed through the mixture to bring the evaporation to completion. Carbon impregnated with catalytic material (79 g), were obtained at this stage. This sample was heated in an argon stream at a rate of 30 degrees C/minute until reaching 300 degrees C. After thermal stabilization, the pure argon flow was replaced with a 15% hydrogen flow in argon at a flow-rate of 200 ml/minute. After 3 hours, the reducing atmosphere was again replaced with a pure argon stream at a flow-rate of 100 ml/minute. After 3 hours, the reducing atmosphere was again replaced with a pure argon stream at a flow-rate of 100 ml/minute. The sample was finally allowed to cool to room temperature. The catalyst obtained was subjected to X-ray diffraction. Alloy formation was evaluated and the method resulted in 52-53% of ruthenium (Ru) formation.