Article

MXene Nanofibers as Highly Active Catalysts for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

Wenyu YuanScience and Technology on Thermostructural Composite Materials Laboratory, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an 710072, People’s Republic of ChinaLaifei ChengScience and Technology on Thermostructural Composite Materials Laboratory, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an 710072, People’s Republic of ChinaYurong AnState Key Laboratory of Solidification Processing, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an 710072, People’s Republic of ChinaHeng WuScience and Technology on Thermostructural Composite Materials Laboratory, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an 710072, People’s Republic of ChinaNa YaoLab of Synthetic and Natural Functional Molecule Chemistry of Ministry of Education, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, People’s Republic of ChinaXiaoli FanState Key Laboratory of Solidification Processing, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an 710072, People’s Republic of ChinaXiaohui GuoLab of Synthetic and Natural Functional Molecule Chemistry of Ministry of Education, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, People’s Republic of China

2018en

ABI

Abstract

Nonprecious metal catalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) have recently received growing attention. Herein, we designed a highly active MXene nanofiber catalyst with a high specific surface area (SSA) via the hydrolyzation of bulk MAX ceramics, and a subsequent HF etching process. Compared with traditional MXene flakes, the MXene nanofibers delivered a much higher SSA and exposed more active sites in the cross section. As a result, the MXene nanofiber delivered an enhanced HER activity with a low overpotential of 169 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm–2, a depressed Tafel slope of 97 mV dec–1, and low electrochemical resistance. The improved SSA and exposed active sites are responsible for the enhanced activity. This work provides a novel synthesis method for MXene nanofibers, and MXene nanofibers are also promising for applications in batteries, supercapacitors, and catalytic fields.

Identifiers

DOI: 10.1021/acssuschemeng.8b01348

Citations and references

Cited by 30 references

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