Moving beyond Ti2C3T x MXene to Pt-Decorated TiO2@TiC Core–Shell via Pulsed Laser in Reshaping Modification for Accelerating Hydrogen Evolution Kinetics

• Published in: ACS nano 2023-04, Vol.17 (8), p.7539-7549
• Main Authors: Park, Chae Eun, Jeong, Gyoung Hwa, Theerthagiri, Jayaraman, Lee, Hyeyeon, Choi, Myong Yong
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1936-0851; 1936-086X
• DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.2c12638

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 (Ti3C2T x ) obtained by etching Ti3AlC2 MAX via a pulsed laser irradiation in liquid (PLIL) process. We produced a TiO2@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 TiO2@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/TiO2@TiC/Pt-5 min sample demonstrated outstanding electrochemical and photoelectrochemical performance. The photoelectrochemical HER activity over Pt/TiO2@TiC/Pt-5 min catalyst exhibits a low overpotential of 48 mV at 10 mA/cm2 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.