An Efficient and Stable MXene-Immobilized, Cobalt-Based Catalyst for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

oleh: Wei Guo, Buxiang Wang, Qing Shu

Format: Article
Diterbitkan: MDPI AG 2024-08-01

Deskripsi

Hydrogen (H<sub>2</sub>) is considered to be the best carbon-free energy carrier that can replace fossil fuels because of its high energy density and the advantages of not producing greenhouse gases and air pollutants. As a green and sustainable method for hydrogen production, the electrochemical hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) has received widespread attention. Currently, it is a great challenge to prepare economically stable electrocatalysts for the HER using non-precious metals. In this study, a Co/Co<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub>/Ti<sub>3</sub>C<sub>2</sub>T<i><sub>x</sub></i> catalyst was synthesized by supporting Co/Co<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub> with Ti<sub>3</sub>C<sub>2</sub>T<i><sub>x</sub></i>. The results show that Co/Co<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub>/Ti<sub>3</sub>C<sub>2</sub>T<i><sub>x</sub></i> has excellent HER activity and durability in 1 mol L<sup>−1</sup> KOH, and the overpotential and Tafel slope at 10 mA·cm<sup>−2</sup> were 87 mV and 61.90 mV dec<sup>−1</sup>, respectively. The excellent HER activity and stability of Co/Co<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub>/Ti<sub>3</sub>C<sub>2</sub>T<i><sub>x</sub></i> can be explained as follows: Ti<sub>3</sub>C<sub>2</sub>T<i><sub>x</sub></i> provides a stable skeleton and a large number of attachment sites for Co/Co<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub>, thus exposing more active sites; the unique two-dimensional structure of Ti<sub>3</sub>C<sub>2</sub>T<i><sub>x</sub></i> provides an efficient conductive network for rapid electron transfer between the electrolyte and the catalyst during electrocatalysis; Co<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub> makes the Co/Co<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub>/Ti<sub>3</sub>C<sub>2</sub>T<i><sub>x</sub></i> catalyst more hydrophilic, which can accelerate the release rate of bubbles; Co/Co<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub> can accelerate the adsorption and deionization of H<sub>2</sub>O to synthesize H<sub>2</sub>. This study provides a new approach for the design and preparation of low-cost and high-performance HER catalysts.