Moving beyond Ti<sub>2</sub>C<sub>3</sub>T<sub><i>x</i></sub> MXene to Pt-Decorated TiO<sub>2</sub>@TiC Core-Shell via Pulsed Laser in Reshaping Modification for Accelerating Hydrogen Evolution Kinetics.

Park, Chae Eun; Jeong, Gyoung Hwa; Theerthagiri, Jayaraman; Lee, Hyeyeon; Choi, Myong Yong · ACS Nano · 2023

basic_science · Level V

Where this comes from

Abstract

Phase engineering of nanocatalysts on specific facets is critical not only for enhancing catalytic activity but also for intensely understanding the impact of facet-based phase engineering on electrocatalytic reactions. In this study, we successfully reshaped a two-dimensional (2D) MXene (Ti<sub>3</sub>C<sub>2</sub>T<sub><i>x</i></sub>) obtained by etching Ti<sub>3</sub>AlC<sub>2</sub> MAX via a pulsed laser irradiation in liquid (PLIL) process. We produced a TiO<sub>2</sub>@TiC core-shell structure in spheres with sizes of 200-350 nm, and then ∼2 nm ultrasmall Pt NPs were decorated on the surface of the TiO<sub>2</sub>@TiC core-shell using the single-step PLIL method. These advances allow for a significant increase in electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) activity under visible light illumination. The effect of optimal Pt loading on PLIL time was identified, and the resulting Pt/TiO<sub>2</sub>@TiC/Pt-5 min sample demonstrated outstanding electrochemical and photoelectrochemical performance. The photoelectrochemical HER activity over Pt/TiO<sub>2</sub>@TiC/Pt-5 min catalyst exhibits a low overpotential of 48 mV at 10 mA/cm<sup>2</sup> and an ultralow Tafel slope of 54.03 mV/dec with excellent stability of over 50 h, which is hydrogen production activity even superior to that of the commercial Pt/C catalysts (55 mV, 62.45 mV/dec). This investigation not only serves as a potential for laser-dependent phase engineering but also provides a reliable strategy for the rational design and fabrication of highly effective nanocatalysts.