Electrodeposited manganese oxide films (MnOx) are promising stable oxygen evolution catalysts. They are able to catalyze the oxygen evolution reaction in acidic solutions but with only modest activity when prepared by constant anodic potential deposition. We now show that the performance of these catalysts is improved when they are "activated" by potential cycling protocols, as measured by Tafel analysis (where lower slope is better): upon activation the Tafel slope decreases from ∼120 to ∼70 mV/decade in neutral conditions and from ∼650 to ∼90 mV/decade in acidic solutions. Electrochemical, spectroscopic, and structural methods were employed to study the activation process and support a mechanism where the original birnessite-like MnOx (δ-MnO2) undergoes a phase change, induced by comproportionation with cathodically generated Mn(OH)2, to a hausmannite-like intermediate (α-Mn3O4). Subsequent anodic conditioning from voltage cycling or water oxidation produces a disordered birnessite-like phase, which is highly active for oxygen evolution. At pH 2.5, the current density of activated MnOx (at an overpotential of 600 mV) is 2 orders of magnitude higher than that of the original MnOx and begins to approach that of Ru and Ir oxides in acid.

Control of the electronic properties of 2D transition material carbides by replacing the outer Ti layers in Ti3C2Tx with Mo, creating Mo2TiC2Tx.

We report on the synthesis of a phase-pure, 2-dimensional transition metal carbide Nb4C3, produced by immersing Nb4AlC3 powders in hydrofluoric acid. The structure of this, only second MXene with formula M4X3, was investigated with pair distribution function analysis. The resistivity of a cold-pressed disc was 0.0046 Ω m, rendering this MXene one of the most conductive to date.