Promoting the water-reduction kinetics and alkali tolerance of MoNi₄ nanocrystals via a Mo₂TiC₂Tx induced built-in electric field

Abstract

Mo-Ni alloy-based electrocatalysts are regarded as promising candidates for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), despite their vulnerable stability in alkaline solution that hampers further application. Herein, Mo2 TiC2 Tx MXene, is employed as a support for MoNi4 alloy nanocrystals (NCs) to fabricate a unique nanoflower-like MoNi4 -MXn electrocatalyst. A remarkably strong built-in electric field is established at the interface of two components, which facilitates the electron transfer from Mo2 TiC2 Tx to MoNi4 . Due to the accumulation of electrons at the MoNi4 sites, the adsorption of the catalytic intermediates and ionic species on MoNi4 is affected consequently. As a result, the MoNi4 -MX10 nanohybrid exhibits the lowest overpotential, even lower than 10% Pt/C catalyst at the current density of 10 mA cm-2 in 1 m KOH solution (122.19 vs 129.07 mV, respectively). Furthermore, a lower Tafel slope of 55.88 mV dec-1 is reported as compared to that of the 10% Pt/C (65.64 mV dec-1 ). Additionally, the MoNi4 -MX10 catalyst also displays extraordinary chemical stability in alkaline solution, with an activity loss of only 0.15% per hour over 300 h of operation. This reflects the great potential of using MXene-based interfacial engineering for the synthesis of a highly efficient and stable electrocatalyst.