Co‐Constructing Interfaces of Multiheterostructure on MXene (Ti₃C₂T_x)‐Modified 3D Self‐Supporting Electrode for Ultraefficient Electrocatalytic HER in Alkaline Media

Abstract

Electrocatalysis is a potential method for sustainable hydrogen production, and the development of non-noble metal-based effective electrocatalysts for electrochemical water splitting is the core of exploiting and utilizing renewable energy. Herein, a stupendous electrocatalyst with multiheterostructure interfaces and 3D porous structure is synthesized, and the mechanisms of enhanced electrocatalytic activity combining multicharacterizations and density functional calculations are clarified. Especially, the fabricated Co 2 P/N@Ti 3 C 2 T x @NF (denoted as CPN@TC) exhibits an ultralow overpotential of 15 mV to arrive at a current density of 10 mA cm −2 with the long-term durability and a small Tafel slope of 30 mV dec −1 in 1 m KOH, which even compares with noble metal catalysts favorably. The outstanding HER activity is ascribed to multiheterointerfaces for adsorbing H 2 O and H*, fine conductivity for the electronic transmission, and well-designed structure for rapid transport of ions and gases. It is reasonable to think that the synthetic strategy of CPN@TC can be extended to the preparation of transition-metal-based phosphides for enhanced catalytic performance.

Recent developments of MXene-based catalysts for hydrogen production by water splitting

“…Hydrogen has the characteristics of high specific energy density (142 MJ kg −1 ) 27 and non-pollution emission. 26 It is a type of clean energy that is expected to replace fossil energy and can be used to store intermittent renewable energy, such as wind energy, solar energy, and ocean energy.…”

2D materials: increscent quantum flatland with immense potential for applications

“…Zepeng et al fabricated Co 2 P/N@Ti 3 C 2 T x @NF in which cobalt phosphates were grown on MXene (Ti 3 C 2 T x )-modified Ni foam (NF) in a controlled manner by a two-step electrodeposition process. It exhibited an ultralow overpotential of 15 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm −2 [ 164 ]. Xu et al prepared a hierarchical shell on the superficial layer of the metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) using interconnected and vertical Ni–Fe-Ce-LDH nanosheets.…”

Recent Advances in Inorganic Electrochromic Materials from Synthesis to Applications: Critical Review on Functional Chemistry and Structure Engineering

“…Well, the choreographed nanostructure can precisely avoid the damage of the main material caused by the volume change during the ion transport process and achieve eminent cyclic stability while obtaining fast ion injection/extraction kinetics [44] . In addition, heterogeneous engineering and modification with secondary anions/cations serve as the widespread and most effective choices to improve the functional properties of nanostructured materials in many application fields [1–3,45–48] . To elevate the electrochemical stability and switching speed of EC films, many binary and ternary mixed nanocomposites have been used as ECs or counter electrodes in ECDs, such as WO 3 ‐MoO 3 , [26] MXene/WO 3‐x , [49] WO 3 /RGO, [50] and WO 3 /V 2 O 5 [51] .…”

“…[44] In addition, heterogeneous engineering and modification with secondary anions/cations serve as the widespread and most effective choices to improve the functional properties of nanostructured materials in many application fields. [1][2][3][45][46][47][48] To elevate the electrochemical stability and switching speed of EC films, many binary and ternary mixed nanocomposites have been used as ECs or counter electrodes in ECDs, such as WO 3 -MoO 3 , [26] MXene/WO 3-x , [49] WO 3 /RGO, [50] and WO 3 /V 2 O 5 . [51] Mixed nanocomposites can possess superior properties, in one way or another, to those of pure oxide.…”