Promising 2D/2D MoTe₂/Ti₃C₂T_x Hybrid Materials for Boosted Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

Abstract

Hydrogen as an energy source has been regarded as a clean and efficient energy carrier and as a promising alternative to traditional fossil fuels. Among numerous hydrogen generation systems, water splitting is deemed as the most productive technology to generate clean and high-purity hydrogen. The prominent features-based two-dimensional (2D) materials have proven themselves as efficient as well as robust electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Here we designed a remarkably active and durable HER catalyst by integrating semimetallic 1T′ MoTe2 petal clusters on Ti3C2T x nanosheets by a facile hydrothermal approach. As-prepared MoTe2/Ti3C2T x hybrids exhibited significantly enhanced electrocatalytic HER performance, generating a cathode current density of 10 mA/cm2 at an overpotential of only 293 mV with a small Tafel slope of 65 mV/dec and satisfactory long-term stability in acidic media. The experimental results are further verified by the first-principles studies presenting the geometrical and electronic properties of MoTe2, Ti3C2T x , and MoTe2/Ti3C2T x hybrids. The interaction between the Ti3C2T x and MoTe2 is due to charge transfer from Ti3C2T x to MoTe2. Theoretically, we have calculated the overpotential for HER activities. Computed overpotential follows the qualitative trend of MoTe2/Ti3C2T x < MoTe2 < Ti3C2T x , which supports the experimental findings. The unique aspects of these unique hybrids, such as semimetallic nature MoTe2 petal clusters and strong interface interaction between MoTe2 and conductive Ti3C2T x nanosheets, cause superior HER catalytic performance. We believe these outcomes accentuate the promising perspective of MoTe2/Ti3C2T x hybrids as a capable and nonprecious catalyst and provide an auspicious prospect for the development of 2D materials-based HER electrocatalysts.

1T-VS2/MXene Hybrid as a Superior Electrode Material for Asymmetric Supercapacitors: Experimental and Theoretical Investigations

“…However, the emergence of a broad peak around 27 deg. in all the VS 2 -MXene composites may be due to the increase in the interlayer spacing of pristine VS 2 . , Furthermore, it is worthy to note that there is a formation of TiO 2 (Burkite phase) confirming from the weak intense peaks around 53–54 and 62–64° due to partial oxidation of fluorinated Ti 2+ , which does not show any direct effect on the morphology of MXenes Figure b shows the comparison FT-IR spectrum of pure VS 2 , MXene, and hybrids.…”

Ru/Rh Cation Doping and Oxygen‐Vacancy Engineering of FeOOH Nanoarrays@Ti3C2Tx MXene Heterojunction for Highly Efficient and Stable Electrocatalytic Oxygen Evolution

“…Recently, a large family of 2D transition-metal carbides and nitrides named as MXene have emerged and received widespread attention owing to their hydrophilic surface functionalities (-OH, -O, and/or -F groups), high metallic conductivity (Ti 3 C 2 T x , ≈9880 S cm -1 ), easily tunable structure, and satisfactory thermal stability. [24][25][26] MXene has become the most potentially conductive material to anchor various active materials. First, the tunability of MXene composition is conducive to the modulation of electronic structure.…”

Vertically Aligned Graphene‐Analogous Low‐Dimensional Materials: A Review on Emerging Trends, Recent Developments, and Future Perspectives

“…The expanding portfolio of 2D materials currently includes graphene, transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), hexagonal boron nitride (h‐BN), 2D carbides/nitrides (MXenes), monoelemental Xenes, and perovskites. [ 2–6 ] These families opened new horizons for advanced applications since they have unusual electronic, mechanical, and optical properties. Though these materials have layered structures, yet their diversity in properties highly depends on their composition and phases.…”

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2D materials currently includes graphene, transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN), 2D carbides/nitrides (MXenes), monoelemental Xenes, and perovskites. [2][3][4][5][6] These families opened new horizons for advanced applications since they have unusual electronic, mechanical, and optical properties. Though these materials have layered structures, yet their diversity in properties highly depends on their composition and phases.Graphene owns interesting properties like large surface area, dangling bond-free surface, high carrier mobility, high optical absorption coefficient, high Young's modulus, and high thermal conductivity.

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