Raney-type Ru-La catalysts were prepared from a Ru-La-Al ternary alloy (intermetallic Ru2LaAl10) by NaOH treatment. The presence of La effectively inhibited the aggregation of Ru. The obtained microporous Ru La catalysts with high specific surface areas showed much higher catalytic activity in ammonia decomposition compared to both the parent bulk materials and Raney-type Ru catalysts.