Coupled spinel manganese−cobalt oxide and MXene electrocatalysts towards efficient hydrogen evolution reaction. (15th November 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Huang, Huajie; Shen, Binfeng; Yan, Minmin; He, Haiyan; Yang, Lu; Jiang, Quanguo; Ying, Guobing
• Is Part Of: Fuel. Volume 328(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-11-15
• Subjects: Spinel oxides -- MnCo2O4 -- MXene -- Electrocatalysts -- Hydrogen evolution; Fuel -- Periodicals; Coal -- Periodicals; Coal; Fuel; Periodicals; 662.6
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fuel.2022.125234
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0016-2361

Abstract

Graphical abstract: A convenient and cost-effective strategy is developed to the controllable fabrication of the small-sized spinel MnCo2 O4 nanocrystals strongly coupled with 2D Ti3 C2 Tx MXene nanosheets, which express exceptional electrocatalytic ability towards the hydrogen evolution reaction. Highlights: Heterojunction catalysts made from spinel MnCo2 O4 and MXene are first synthesized. Ultrafine MnCo2 O4 nanocrystals are homogeneously dispersed on the MXene surface. The intimate 0D/2D interfacial connection enables strong electronic interactions. The newly-designed catalysts show superior electrocatalytic ability for hydrogen evolution. Abstract: Although nanostructured spinel oxides have been considered as potential electrode materials for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), their catalytic properties still need to be substantially improved to meet the requirements of practical use. In this work, we present the rational design and controllable synthesis of nanosized spinel manganese−cobalt oxide strongly coupled with ultrathin Ti3 C2 Tx MXene nanosheets (MnCo2 O4 /Ti3 C2 Tx ) through a facile and cost-effective strategy. The effective combination of spinel MnCo2 O4 with Ti3 C2 Tx nanosheets generates a number of attractive structural features with strong synergistic effects, such as highly accessible surface areas, intimate 0D/2D interfacial connection, full exposure of abundant active sites, optimized electronic structure, and excellent electron conductivity, all of which are very desirable for the HER process. Consequently, the resulting MnCo2 O4 /Ti3 C2 Tx electrocatalyst possesses an unusual HER ability with a low onset potential of only 51 mV, a small Tafel slope of 79 mV dec −1 and exceptional long-term stability, markedly outperforming the bare MnCo2 O4 and Ti3 C2 Tx electrocatalysts.