One-Step Synthesis of Modified Ti<sub>3</sub>C<sub>2</sub> MXene-Supported Amorphous Molybdenum Sulfide Electrocatalysts by a Facile Gamma Radiation Strategy for Efficient Hydrogen Evolution Reaction
Shuangxiao Li, Xueyan Que, Xibang Chen, Tingrui Lin, Lang Sheng, Jing Peng, Jiuqiang Li, Maolin Zhai
Abstract
Development of noble-metal-free electrocatalysts with low cost, facile synthesis, and high efficiency for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is attracting increasing attention. Two-dimensional (2D) MXenes have recently emerged as one of the most promising conductive supports for HER electrocatalysis. Herein, we report a facile gamma radiation strategy for the one-step modification of Ti3C2 MXene and its coupling with amorphous molybdenum sulfide (MoSx) to form modified Ti3C2-supported MoSx (MD-Ti3C2/MoSx) hybrids with a 2D/2D structure. The modification of the Ti3C2 MXene, the content of amorphous MoSx, and the active sulfur ratio of the hybrids can be easily controlled by adjusting the absorbed dose. MD-Ti3C2/MoSx with an optimal absorbed dose of 100 kGy shows efficient electrocatalytic performance for the HER with a Tafel slope of 41 mV dec–1, a low overpotential of 196 mV at a current density of 50 mA cm–2, and durable stability. The great enhancement in HER performance could be attributed to the strong 2D/2D interfacial coupling, the highly enhanced electron-transfer process, and more exposed electrocatalytic active sites. With the facile and easy scale-up gamma radiation strategy, this study offers an effective method for the synthesis of the Ti3C2 MXene-based hybrid with efficient HER performance, which could be potentially extended to the synthesis of other MXene-based hybrids.