Co-Constructing Interfaces of Multiheterostructure on MXene (Ti3C2Tx)-Modified 3D Self-Supporting Electrode for Ultraefficient Electrocatalytic HER in Alkaline Media

Electrocatalysis is a potential method for sustainable hydrogen production, and the development of non-noble metal-based effective electrocatalysts for electrochemical water splitting is the core of exploiting and utilizing renewable energy. Herein, a stupendous electrocatalyst with multiheterostructure interfaces and 3D porous structure is synthesized, and the mechanisms of enhanced electrocatalytic activity combining multicharacterizations and density functional calculations are clarified. Especially, the fabricated Co2P/N@Ti3C2Tx@NF (denoted as CPN@TC) exhibits an ultralow overpotential of 15 mV to arrive at a current density of 10 mA cm(-2) with the long-term durability and a small Tafel slope of 30 mV dec(-1) in 1 m KOH, which even compares with noble metal catalysts favorably. The outstanding HER activity is ascribed to multiheterointerfaces for adsorbing H2O and H*, fine conductivity for the electronic transmission, and well-designed structure for rapid transport of ions and gases. It is reasonable to think that the synthetic strategy of CPN@TC can be extended to the preparation of transition-metal-based phosphides for enhanced catalytic performance.

Automated summary

The passage introduces an outstanding electrocatalyst with multiple heterostructure interfaces and a 3D porous structure, clarifying the mechanisms of enhanced electrocatalytic activity through multiple characterizations and density functional calculations. Specifically, the fabricated CPN@TC catalyst demonstrates excellent HER activity in 1 M KOH, attributed to its multiheterointerfaces for water and hydrogen adsorption, fine conductivity for electron transmission, and well-designed structure for rapid ion and gas transport. The study suggests that the synthetic strategy can be extended to enhance the catalytic performance of transition-metal-based phosphides.