The unexpected photoelectrochemical activity of MAX phases: the role of oxide impurities. Issue 6 (25th January 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sanna, Michela; Novčić, Katarina A.; Ng, Siowwoon; Černý, Miroslav; Pumera, Martin
• Is Part Of: Journal of materials chemistry. Volume 11:Issue 6(2023)
• Page Start: 3080
• Page End: 3090
• Publication Date: 2023-01-25
• Subjects: Materials -- Research -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Analytic -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Research -- Periodicals; 543.0284
• DOI: 10.1039/d2ta06929f
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2050-7488

Abstract

Abstract : Despite the absence of band gap calculated for MAX phases, the experimental analysis showed the crucial role that impurities play in the photoelectrochemical hydrogen generation, leading to better performances thanks to their intrinsic photoactivity. Abstract : MAX phases are layered ternary compounds that are mainly studied for their physical properties and their use in the synthesis of MXenes. Their application in energy generation has been investigated and recently, the unexpected photoactivity of MAX phases under the influence of a visible light source has been reported. To investigate the origin of this photoactivity, theoretical calculations and experimental characterisation of the structural and optical properties of three MAX phases, Nb2 AlC, Ta2 AlC and Ti3 AlC2, were performed. Although the theoretical calculations confirmed that the phases presented no band gap in the vicinity of the Fermi level, the experimental evaluation showed two main absorptions for Nb2 AlC and Ta2 AlC (2.2 eV, 3.1 eV, and 2.2 eV, 3.3 eV, respectively) and one for Ti3 AlC2 (2.4 eV). To confirm the observations from the optical characterisation, the phases were applied as photoelectrocatalysts for hydrogen generation under the influence of light of different wavelengths. Nb2 AlC and Ta2 AlC performed better when exposed to UV light, while Ti3 AlC2 showed the lowest overpotential under the influence of visible light, in accordance with the experimentally estimated band gaps. The materials were extensively characterised and the photoactivity of MAX phases was attributed to the presence of photoactive oxide impurities on the surface of the material, which are naturally formed from contact with air and solvents. In this work, we show how these impurities can lead to better performances thanks to their intrinsic photoactivity, indicating the prospects for the use of MAX phases in other photoelectrochemical processes.