The development of highly efficient and durable earth-abundant hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) catalysts is crucial for the extensive implementation of hydrogen economy. Members of the 2D MXenes family, particularly Mo₂CT_x, have recently been identified as promising HER catalysts. However, their inherent oxidative instability in air and aqueous electrolyte solutions is hindering their widespread use. Herein, we present a simple and scalable method to circumvent the adventitious oxidation in Mo₂CT_x MXenes via in situ sulfidation to form a Mo₂CT_x/2H-MoS₂ nanohybrid. The intimate epitaxial coupling at the Mo₂CT_x/2H-MoS₂ nanohybrid interface afforded superior HER activities, requiring only 119 or 182 mV overpotential to yield -10 or -100 mA cm^-2_geom current densities, respectively. Density functional theory calculations reveal strong interfacial adhesion within the nanohybrid structure, and the possibility to tune the HER overpotential through manipulating the extent of MXene sulfidation. Critically, the presence of 2H-MoS₂ suppresses further oxidation of the MXene layer, enabling the nanohybrid to sustain industrially relevant current densities of over -450 mA cm^-2_geom with exceptional durability. Less than 30 mV overpotential degradation was observed after 10 continuous days of electrolysis at a fixed -10 mA cm^-2_geom current density or 100,000 successive cyclic voltammetry cycles. The exceptional HER durability of the Mo₂CT_x/2H-MoS₂ nanohybrid presents a major step forward to realize practical application of MXenes as noble metal free catalysts for broad-based applications in water splitting and energy conversion.

Zhi Wei Seh

Appearances