Scalable Synthesis of 2D Mo 2 C and Thickness‐Dependent Hydrogen Evolution on Its Basal Plane and Edges

Wu, Jiabin; Su, Jianwei; Wu, Tao; Huang, Liang; Li, Qun; Luo, Yongxin; Jin, Hongrun; Zhou, Jun; Zhai, Tianyou; Wang, Dingsheng; Gogotsi, Yury; Li, Yadong

doi:10.1002/adma.202209954

Scalable Synthesis of 2D Mo ₂ C and Thickness‐Dependent Hydrogen Evolution on Its Basal Plane and Edges

Journal Article · Thu May 04 04:00:00 EDT 2023 · Advanced Materials

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.202209954· OSTI ID:2424915

Wu, Jiabin ^[1]; Su, Jianwei ^[2]; Wu, Tao ^[3]; Huang, Liang ^[4]; Li, Qun ^[4]; Luo, Yongxin ^[4]; Jin, Hongrun ^[4]; Zhou, Jun ^[4]; Zhai, Tianyou ^[2]; Wang, Dingsheng ^[5]; Gogotsi, Yury ^[6]; ^[7]

Department of Chemistry Tsinghua University Beijing 100084 P. R. China; Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan 430074 P. R. China; Department of Materials Science and Engineering and A. J. Drexel Nanomaterials Institute Drexel University Philadelphia PA 19104 USA
State Key Laboratory of Materials Processing and Die &, Mould Technology and School of Materials Science and Engineering Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan 430074 P. R. China
The State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals Liaoning Key Laboratory for Catalytic Conversion of Carbon Resources and School of Chemical Engineering Dalian University of Technology Dalian 116024 P. R. China
Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan 430074 P. R. China
Department of Chemistry Tsinghua University Beijing 100084 P. R. China
Department of Materials Science and Engineering and A. J. Drexel Nanomaterials Institute Drexel University Philadelphia PA 19104 USA
Department of Chemistry Tsinghua University Beijing 100084 P. R. China; College of Chemistry Beijing Normal University Beijing 100875 P. R. China; The Key Laboratory of Functional Molecular Solids Ministry of Education College of Chemistry and Materials Science Anhui Normal University Wuhu 241002 P. R. China

Abstract

2D transition metal carbides (2D TMCs and MXenes) are promising candidates for applications of energy storage and catalysis. However, producing high‐quality, large 2D flakes of Mo2C MXene has been challenging. Here, a new salt‐assisted templating approach is reported that enables the direct synthesis of 2D Mo₂C with low defect concentrations. KCl acts as a template to form an intermediate 2D product, facilitating Mo₂C formation without coarsening upon melting. The thickness of the flakes produced can range from monolayer (0.36 nm) to 10 layers (4.55 nm), and the electrocatalytical hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) activity of 2D Mo₂C is inversely proportional to its thickness. The monolayer Mo₂C shows remarkable HER performance with a current density of ≈6800 mA cm⁻²at 470 mV versus reversible hydrogen electrode and an ultrahigh turnover frequency of ≈17 500 s⁻¹. This salt‐assisted synthesis approach can also produce WC and V₈C₇nanosheets, expanding the family of 2D carbides. The new pathway eliminates the need for layered ceramic precursors, making it a versatile approach to direct synthesis of MXene‐like 2D carbides.

Research Organization:: US Department of Energy (USDOE), Washington, DC (United States). Office of Science, Basic Energy Sciences (BES)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE

OSTI ID:: 2424915

Journal Information:: Advanced Materials, Journal Name: Advanced Materials Journal Issue: 25 Vol. 35; ISSN 0935-9648

Publisher:: Wiley

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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