Recent advances of MXenes as electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction
Source abstract
Abstract
Abstract MXenes, an emerging two-dimensional (2D) transition metal carbides, nitrides and carbonitrides, have exhibited great potential as electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) due to the excellent characters, including excellent structural and chemical stability, superior electrical conductivity, and large active surface area. In this comprehensive study, firstly, the preparation advances of MXenes are systematically summarized. Then, the representative applications of MXenes-based HER electrocatalysts are introduced, from experimental and theoretical aspects. Thirdly, the strategies for improving HER catalytic activity of MXenes are demonstrated, such as optimizing active sites by termination modification and metal-atom doping, increasing active sites by fabricating various nanostructures. Finally, the existing challenges and new opportunities for MXenes-based electrocatalysts are also elucidated. This paper provides reference for the future development of new and efficient MXenes-based electrocatalysts for hydrogen production through water-splitting technology.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline
Research context
OpenAlex topics: MXene and MAX Phase Materials · Advanced Photocatalysis Techniques · Advanced Memory and Neural Computing
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
References (100+)
Show source-provided references
1. Chen, Z., Duan, X., Wei, W., Wang, S. & Ni, B. Recent advances in transition metal-based electrocatalysts for alkaline hydrogen evolution. J. Mater. Chem. A 7, 14971–15005 (2019).10.1039/C9TA03220G ↗
2. Jiao, Y., Zheng, Y., Jaroniec, M. & Qiao, S. Design of electrocatalysts for oxygen- and hydrogen-involving energy conversion reactions. Chem. Soc. Rev. 44, 2060–2086 (2015).10.1039/C4CS00470A ↗
3. Mistry, H., Varela, A. S., Kühl, S., Strasser, P. & Cuenya, B. R. Nanostructured electrocatalysts with tunable activity and selectivity. Nat. Rev. Mater. 1, 16009 (2016).10.1038/natrevmats.2016.9 ↗
4. Anjali, J., Jose, V. K. & Lee, J.-M. Carbon-based hydrogels: synthesis and their recent energy applications. J. Mater. Chem. A 7, 15491–15518 (2019).10.1039/C9TA02525A ↗
5. Jayakumar, A., Antony, R. P., Wang, R. & Lee, J.-M. MOF-derived hollow cage NixCo3−xO4 and their synergy with graphene for outstanding supercapacitors. Small 13, 1603102 (2017).10.1002/smll.201603102 ↗
6. Parra-Puerto, A. et al. Supported transition metal phosphides: activity survey for HER, ORR, OER and corrosion resistance in acid and alkaline electrolytes. ACS Catal. 9, 11515–11529 (2019).10.1021/acscatal.9b03359 ↗
7. Hao, C. et al. Interface-coupling of CoFe-LDH on MXene as high-performance oxygen evolution catalyst. Mater. Today Energy 12, 453–462 (2019).10.1016/j.mtener.2019.04.009 ↗
8. Fu, G. & Lee, J.-M. Ternary metal sulfides for electrocatalytic energy conversion. J. Mater. Chem. A 7, 9386–9405 (2019).10.1039/C9TA01438A ↗
9. Peng, X. et al. Recent progress of transition metal nitrides for efficient electrocatalytic water splitting. Sustain. Energ. Fuels 3, 366–381 (2019).10.1039/C8SE00525G ↗
10. Zhu, Y. et al. Anionic defect engineering of transition metal oxides for oxygen reduction and evolution reactions. J. Mater. Chem. A 7, 5875–5897 (2019).10.1039/C8TA12477A ↗
11. Naguib, M., Mochalin, V. N., Barsoum, M. W. & Gogotsi, Y. 25th Anniversary article: MXenes: a new family of two-dimensional materials. Adv. Mater. 26, 992–1005 (2014).10.1002/adma.201304138 ↗
12. Naguib, M. et al. Two-dimensional nanocrystals produced by exfoliation of Ti3AlC2. Adv. Mater. 23, 4248–4253 (2011).10.1002/adma.201102306 ↗
13. VahidMohammadi, A., Rosen, J. & Gogotsi, Y. The world of two-dimensional carbides and nitrides (MXenes). Science 372, eabf1581 (2021).10.1126/science.abf1581 ↗
14. Nemani, S. K. et al. High-Entropy 2D Carbide MXenes: TiVNbMoC3 and TiVCrMoC3. ACS Nano 15, 12815–12825 (2021).10.1021/acsnano.1c02775 ↗
15. Anasori, B., Lukatskaya, M. R. & Gogotsi, Y. 2D metal carbides and nitrides (MXenes) for energy storage. Nat. Rev. Mater. 2, 16098 (2017).10.1038/natrevmats.2016.98 ↗
16. Mashtalir, O. et al. Intercalation and delamination of layered carbides and carbonitrides. Nat. Commun. 4, 1716 (2013).10.1038/ncomms2664 ↗
17. Naguib, M. et al. MXene: a promising transition metal carbide anode for lithium-ion batteries. Electrochem. Commun. 16, 61–64 (2012).10.1016/j.elecom.2012.01.002 ↗
18. Zhou, J. et al. Synthesis and electrochemical properties of two-dimensional hafnium carbide. ACS Nano 11, 3841–3850 (2017).10.1021/acsnano.7b00030 ↗
19. Tang, Q., Zhou, Z. & Shen, P. Are MXenes promising anode materials for Li ion batteries? computational studies on electronic properties and Li storage capability of Ti3C2 and Ti3C2X2 (X = F, OH) monolayer. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 134, 16909–16916 (2012).10.1021/ja308463r ↗
20. Shahzad, F. et al. Electromagnetic interference shielding with 2D transition metal carbides (MXenes). Science 353, 1137–1140 (2016).10.1126/science.aag2421 ↗
21. Liu, J. et al. Hydrophobic, flexible, and lightweight MXene foams for high-performance electromagnetic-interference shielding. Adv. Mater. 29, 1702367 (2017).10.1002/adma.201702367 ↗
22. Lukatskaya, M. R. et al. Cation intercalation and high volumetric capacitance of two-dimensional titanium carbide. Science 341, 1502–1506 (2013).10.1126/science.1241488 ↗
23. Zhang, X. et al. Ti2CO2 MXene: a highly active and selective photocatalyst for CO2 reduction. J. Mater. Chem. A 5, 12899–12903 (2017).10.1039/C7TA03557H ↗
24. Seh, Z. et al. Two-dimensional molybdenum carbide (MXene) as an efficient electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution. ACS Energy Lett. 1, 589–594 (2016).10.1021/acsenergylett.6b00247 ↗
25. Kim, S. J. et al. Metallic Ti3C2Tx MXene gas sensors with ultrahigh signal-to-noise ratio. ACS Nano 12, 986–993 (2018).10.1021/acsnano.7b07460 ↗
26. Zhang, Y. et al. MXenes stretch hydrogel sensor performance to new limits. Sci. Adv. 4, eaat0098 (2018).10.1126/sciadv.aat0098 ↗
27. Zhang, Y. et al. Flexible self-powered integrated sensing system with 3D periodic ordered black phosphorus@MXene thin-films. Adv. Mater. 33, 2007890 (2021).10.1002/adma.202007890 ↗
28. Wang, H. et al. High-performance foam-shaped strain sensor based on carbon nanotubes and Ti3C2Tx MXene for the monitoring of human activities. ACS Nano 15, 9690–9700 (2021).10.1021/acsnano.1c00259 ↗
29. Ho, D. H., Choi, Y. Y., Jo, S. B., Myoung, J-M. & Cho, J. H. Sensing with MXenes: progress and prospects. Adv. Mater. https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.202005846 (2021).10.1002/adma.202005846 ↗
30. Chao, M. et al. Breathable Ti3C2Tx MXene/protein nanocomposites for ultrasensitive medical pressure sensor with degradability in solvents. ACS Nano 15, 9746–9758 (2021).10.1021/acsnano.1c00472 ↗
31. Guo, Z., Zhou, J., Zhu, L. & Sun, Z. MXene: a promising photocatalyst for water splitting. J. Mater. Chem. A 4, 11446–11452 (2016).10.1039/C6TA04414J ↗
32. Zhang, H. et al. Self-assembly of MOF on MXene nanosheets and in-situ conversion into superior nickel phosphates/MXene battery-type electrode. Chem. Eng. J. 425, 130602 (2021).10.1016/j.cej.2021.130602 ↗
33. Tu, T. et al. Controllable patterning of porous MXene (Ti3C2) by metal-assisted electro-gelation method. Adv. Funct. Mater. 31, 2101374 (2021).10.1002/adfm.202101374 ↗
34. Yun, T. et al. Multidimensional Ti3C2Tx MXene architectures via interfacial electrochemical self-assembly. ACS Nano 15, 10058–10066 (2021).10.1021/acsnano.1c01727 ↗
35. Li, R., Zhang, L., Shi, L. & Wang, P. MXene Ti3C2: an effective 2D light-to-heat conversion material. ACS Nano 11, 3752–3759 (2017).10.1021/acsnano.6b08415 ↗
36. Sarycheva, A. et al. 2D titanium carbide (MXene) for wireless communication. Sci. Adv. 4, eaau0920 (2018).10.1126/sciadv.aau0920 ↗
37. Xu, B. et al. Ultrathin MXene-micropattern-based field-effect transistor for probing neural activity. Adv. Mater. 28, 3333–3339 (2016).10.1002/adma.201504657 ↗
38. Lipatov, A. et al. Effect of synthesis on quality, electronic properties and environmental stability of individual monolayer Ti3C2 MXene flakes. Adv. Electron. Mater. 2, 1600255 (2016).10.1002/aelm.201600255 ↗
39. Ghidiu, M., Lukatskaya, M. R., Zhao, M., Gogotsi, Y. & Barsoum, M. W. Conductive two-dimensional titanium carbide ‘clay’ with high volumetric capacitance. Nature 516, 78–81 (2014).10.1038/nature13970 ↗
40. Wu, M., Wang, B., Hu, Q., Wang, L. & Zhou, A. The synthesis process and thermal stability of V2C MXene. Materials 11, 2112 (2018).10.3390/ma11112112 ↗
41. Wang, X. et al. A new etching environment (FeF3/HCl) for the synthesis of two dimensional titanium carbide MXenes: a route towards selective reactivity vs. water. J. Mater. Chem. A 5, 22012–22023 (2017).10.1039/C7TA01082F ↗
42. Liang, X., Garsuch, A. & Nazar, L. F. Sulfur cathodes based on conductive MXene nanosheets for high-performance lithium-sulfur batteries. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 54, 3909–3911 (2015).10.1002/anie.201410174 ↗
43. Du, F. et al. Environmental friendly scalable production of colloidal 2D titanium carbonitride MXene with minimized nanosheets restacking for excellent cycle life lithium-ion batteries. Electrochim. Acta 235, 690–699 (2017).10.1016/j.electacta.2017.03.153 ↗
44. Naguib, M. et al. Two-dimensional transition metal carbides. ACS Nano 6, 1322–1331 (2012).10.1021/nn204153h ↗
45. Pan, A. et al. CsPbBr3 perovskite nanocrystal grown on MXene nanosheets for enhanced photoelectric detection and photocatalytic CO2 reduction. J. Phys. Chem. Lett. 10, 6590–6597 (2019).10.1021/acs.jpclett.9b02605 ↗
46. Anasori, B. et al. Experimental and theoretical characterization of ordered MAX phases Mo2TiAlC2 and Mo2Ti2AlC3. J. Appl. Phys. 118, 094304 (2015).10.1063/1.4929640 ↗
47. Mashtalir, O., Lukatskaya, M. R., Zhao, M., Barsoum, M. W. & Gogotsi, Y. Amine-assisted delamination of Nb2C MXene for Li-ion energy storage devices. Adv. Mater. 27, 3501–3506 (2015).10.1002/adma.201500604 ↗
48. Zhou, J. et al. A two-dimensional zirconium carbide by selective etching of Al3C3 from nanolaminated Zr3Al3C5. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 55, 5008–5013 (2016).10.1002/anie.201510432 ↗
49. Yang, J. et al. Two-dimensional Nb-based M4C3 solid solutions (MXenes). J. Am. Ceram. Soc. 99, 660–666 (2016).10.1111/jace.13922 ↗
50. Xie, X. et al. Surface Al leached Ti3AlC2 as a substitute for carbon for use as a catalyst support in a harsh corrosive electrochemical system. Nanoscale 6, 11035–11040 (2014).10.1039/C4NR02080D ↗
51. Xuan, J. et al. Organic-base-driven intercalation and delamination for the production of functionalized titanium carbide nanosheets with superior photothermal therapeutic performance. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 55, 14569–14574 (2016).10.1002/anie.201606643 ↗
52. Zou, G. et al. Hydrogenated core-shell MAX@K2Ti8O17 pseudocapacitance with ultrafast sodium storage and long-term cycling. Adv. Energy Mater. 7, 1700700 (2017).10.1002/aenm.201700700 ↗
53. Li, G., Tan, L., Zhang, Y., Wu, B. & Li, L. High efficiently delaminated single-layered MXene nanosheets with large lateral size. Langmuir 33, 9000–9006 (2017).10.1021/acs.langmuir.7b01339 ↗
54. Li, T. et al. Fluorine-free synthesis of high purity Ti3C2Tx (T=-OH, O) via alkali treatment. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 57, 6115–6119 (2018).10.1002/anie.201800887 ↗
55. Sun, W. et al. Electrochemical etching of Ti2AlC to Ti2CTx (MXene) in low-concentration hydrochloric acid solution. J. Mater. Chem. A 5, 21663–21668 (2017).10.1039/C7TA05574A ↗
56. Yang, S. et al. Fluoride-free synthesis of two-dimensional titanium carbide (MXene) using a binary aqueous system. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 57, 15491–15495 (2018).10.1002/anie.201809662 ↗
57. Pang, S.-Y. et al. Universal strategy for HF-free facile and rapid synthesis of two-dimensional MXenes as multifunctional energy materials. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 141, 9610–9616 (2019).10.1021/jacs.9b02578 ↗
58. Li, M. et al. Element replacement approach by reaction with lewis acidic molten salts to synthesize nanolaminated MAX phases and MXenes. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 141, 4730–4737 (2019).10.1021/jacs.9b00574 ↗
59. Li, Y. et al. A general Lewis acidic etching route for preparing MXenes with enhanced electrochemical performance in non-aqueous electrolyte. Nat. Mater. 19, 894–899 (2020).10.1038/s41563-020-0657-0 ↗
60. Kamysbayev, V. et al. Covalent surface modifications and superconductivity of two-dimensional metal carbide MXenes. Science 369, 979–983 (2020).10.1126/science.aba8311 ↗
61. Shi, H. et al. Ambient-stable two-dimensional titanium carbide (MXene) enabled by iodine etching. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 60, 8689–8693 (2021).10.1002/anie.202015627 ↗
62. Ahmad, H., Kamarudin, S. K., Minggu, L. J. & Kassim, M. B. Hydrogen from photo-catalytic water splitting process: a review. Renew. Sust. Energ. Rev. 43, 599–610 (2015).10.1016/j.rser.2014.10.101 ↗
63. Maeda, K. Photocatalytic water splitting using semiconductor particles: history and recent developments. J. Photoch. Photobio. C. 12, 237–268 (2011).10.1016/j.jphotochemrev.2011.07.001 ↗
64. Benck, J. D., Hellstern, T. R., Kibsgaard, J., Chakthranont, P. & Jaramillo, T. F. Catalyzing the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) with molybdenum sulfide nanomaterials. ACS Catal. 4, 3957–3971 (2014).10.1021/cs500923c ↗
65. Zhang, X., Zhao, X., Wu, D., Jing, Y. & Zhou, Z. High and anisotropic carrier mobility in experimentally possible Ti2CO2 (MXene) monolayers and nanoribbons. Nanoscale 7, 16020–16025 (2015).10.1039/C5NR04717J ↗
66. Hinnemann, B. et al. Biomimetic hydrogen evolution: MoS2 nanoparticles as catalyst for hydrogen evolution. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 127, 5308–5309 (2005).10.1021/ja0504690 ↗
67. Kibsgaard, J. et al. Designing an improved transition metal phosphide catalyst for hydrogen evolution using experimental and theoretical trends. Energy Environ. Sci. 8, 3022–3029 (2015).10.1039/C5EE02179K ↗
68. Parsons, R. et al. The rate of electrolytic hydrogen evolution and the heat of adsorption of hydrogen. Trans. Faraday Soc. 54, 1053–1063 (1958).10.1039/tf9585401053 ↗
69. Greeley, J. & Mavrikakis, M. Alloy catalysts designed from first principles. Nat. Mater. 3, 810–815 (2004).10.1038/nmat1223 ↗
70. Nørskov, J. et al. Trends in the exchange current for hydrogen evolution. J. Electrochem. Soc. 152, J23–J26 (2005).10.1149/1.1856988 ↗
71. Greeley, J., Jaramillo, T., Bonde, J., Chorkendorff, I. & Nørskov, J. Computational high-throughput screening of electrocatalytic materials for hydrogen evolution. Nat. Mater. 5, 909–913 (2006).10.1038/nmat1752 ↗
72. Gao, G., O“Mullane, A. P. & Du, A. 2D MXenes: a new family of promising catalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction. ACS Catal. 7, 494–500 (2017).10.1021/acscatal.6b02754 ↗
73. Ran, J. et al. Ti3C2 MXene co-catalyst on metal sulfide photo-absorbers for enhanced visible-light photocatalytic hydrogen production. Nat. Commun. 8, 13907 (2017).10.1038/ncomms13907 ↗
74. Ling, C., Shi, L., Ouyang, Y. & Wang, J. Searching for highly active catalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction based on O-terminated MXenes through a simple descriptor. Chem. Mater. 28, 9026–9032 (2016).10.1021/acs.chemmater.6b03972 ↗
75. Jiang, Y. et al. Oxygen-functionalized ultrathin Ti3C2Tx MXene for enhanced electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution. ChemSusChem 12, 1368–1373 (2019).10.1002/cssc.201803032 ↗
76. Xie, Y. et al. Role of surface structure on Li-ion energy storage capacity of two-dimensional transition-metal carbides. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 136, 6385–6394 (2014).10.1021/ja501520b ↗
77. Handoko, A. D. et al. Tuning the basal plane functionalization of two-dimensional metal carbides (MXenes) to control hydrogen evolution activity. ACS Appl. Energy Mater. 1, 173–180 (2018).10.1021/acsaem.7b00054 ↗
78. Shi, Y. et al. Energy level engineering of MoS2 by transition-metal doping for accelerating hydrogen evolution reaction. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 139, 15479–15485 (2017).10.1021/jacs.7b08881 ↗
79. Wu, H. et al. Regulating the allocation of N and P in codoped graphene via supramolecular control to remarkably boost hydrogen evolution. Energy Environ. Sci. 12, 2697–2705 (2019).10.1039/C9EE00555B ↗
80. Xue, Y. et al. Anchoring zero valence single atoms of nickel and iron on graphdiyne for hydrogen evolution. Nat. Commun. 9, 1460 (2018).10.1038/s41467-018-03896-4 ↗
81. Wang, A., Li, J. & Zhang, T. Heterogeneous single-atom catalysis. Nat. Rev. Chem. 2, 65–81 (2018).10.1038/s41570-018-0010-1 ↗
82. Chen, Z. et al. A heterogeneous single-atom palladium catalyst surpassing homogeneous systems for Suzuki Coupling. Nat. Nanotechnol. 13, 702–707 (2018).10.1038/s41565-018-0167-2 ↗
83. Wang, Y. et al. Catalysis with two-dimensional materials confining single atoms: concept, design, and applications. Chem. Rev. 119, 1806–1854 (2019).10.1021/acs.chemrev.8b00501 ↗
84. Ling, C., Shi, L., Ouyang, Y., Chen, Q. & Wang, J. Transition metal-promoted V2CO2 (MXenes): a new and highly active catalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction. Adv. Sci. 3, 1600180 (2016).10.1002/advs.201600180 ↗
85. Luo, Y. et al. Efficient electrocatalytic N2 fixation with MXene under ambient conditions. Joule 3, 279–289 (2019).10.1016/j.joule.2018.09.011 ↗
86. Huang, B., Zhou, N., Chen, X., Ong, W.-J. & Li, N. Insights into the electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction mechanism on two-dimensional transition metal carbonitrides (MXene). Chem. Eur. J. 24, 18479–18486 (2018).10.1002/chem.201804686 ↗
87. Li, P. et al. High-throughput theoretical optimization of the hydrogen evolution reaction on MXenes by transition metal modification. J. Mater. Chem. A 6, 4271–4278 (2018).10.1039/C8TA00173A ↗
88. Zhang, J. et al. Single platinum atoms immobilized on an MXene as an efficient catalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction. Nat. Catal. 1, 985–992 (2018).10.1038/s41929-018-0195-1 ↗
89. Ramalingam, V. et al. Heteroatom-mediated interactions between ruthenium single atoms and an MXene support for efficient hydrogen evolution. Adv. Mater. 31, 1903841 (2019).10.1002/adma.201903841 ↗
90. Kuznetsov, D. A. et al. Single site cobalt substitution in 2D molybdenum carbide (MXene) enhances catalytic activity in the hydrogen evolution reaction. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 141, 17809–17816 (2019).10.1021/jacs.9b08897 ↗
91. Zhao, D. et al. MXene (Ti3C2) vacancy-confined single-atom catalyst for efficient functionalization of CO2. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 141, 4086–4093 (2019).10.1021/jacs.8b13579 ↗
92. Yang, X., Gao, N., Zhou, S. & Zhao, J. MXene nanoribbons as electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction with fast kinetics. Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 20, 19390–19397 (2018).10.1039/C8CP02635A ↗
93. Lian, P. et al. Alkalized Ti3C2 MXene nanoribbons with expanded interlayer spacing for high-capacity sodium and potassium ion batteries. Nano Energy 40, 1–8 (2017).10.1016/j.nanoen.2017.08.002 ↗
94. Xue, Q. et al. Photoluminescent Ti3C2 MXene quantum dots for multicolor cellular imaging. Adv. Mater. 29, 1604847 (2017).10.1002/adma.201604847 ↗
95. Zhang, T., Jiang, X., Li, G., Yao, Q. & Lee, J. A red-phosphorous-assisted ball-milling synthesis of few-layered Ti3C2Tx (MXene) nanodot composite. ChemNanoMat 4, 56–60 (2018).10.1002/cnma.201700232 ↗
96. Yuan, W. et al. MXene nanofibers as highly active catalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction. ACS Sustain. Chem. Eng. 6, 8976–8982 (2018).10.1021/acssuschemeng.8b01348 ↗
97. Huang, Z. et al. Cobalt phosphide nanorods as an efficient electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction. Nano Energy 9, 373–382 (2014).10.1016/j.nanoen.2014.08.013 ↗
98. Voiry, D., Yang, J. & Chhowalla, M. Recent strategies for improving the catalytic activity of 2D TMD nanosheets toward the hydrogen evolution reaction. Adv. Mater. 28, 6197–6206 (2016).10.1002/adma.201505597 ↗
99. Wan, J. et al. Structure confined porous Mo2C for efficient hydrogen evolution. Adv. Funct. Mater. 27, 1703933 (2017).10.1002/adfm.201703933 ↗
100. Voiry, D. et al. Conducting MoS2 nanosheets as catalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction. Nano Lett. 13, 6222–6227 (2013).10.1021/nl403661s ↗