Ti3C2Tx MXenes-based Electrocatalysts for Enhanced Hydrogen Evolution Reaction (HER)

Abstract

Molecular hydrogen (H2) is the most promising candidate for replacing fossil fuels because of its high energy density and zero carbon emission. Cleaner ways for hydrogen production are highly expected. Electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) serves for this purpose. Developing highly efficient HER electrocatalysts to minimize the overpotential and facilitate the reaction kinetics is one of the prerequisites to electrocatalytic hydrogen production in large-scale. The research is based on a synthesis of MXenes/MOFs composites for enhanced electrocatalytic HER. Ti3C2Tx MXenes and UiO-66 MOFs were used for this purpose. Ti3C2Tx MXenes were synthesized via NH4HF2 and citric acid chemical etching. UiO-66 MOFs were synthesized through hydrothermal technique. Ti3C2Tx/UiO-66 composite was synthesized through an in-situ synthesis approach. Three Ti3C2Tx/UiO-66 composites were synthesized, based on different mass ratios, i.e., 1:1, 1:2 and 2:1 of Ti3C2Tx:UiO-66. Electrochemical testing was performed to evaluate HER performance of the synthesized electrocatalyst.