J. Mater. Sci. Technol. ›› 2024, Vol. 179: 86-97.DOI: 10.1016/j.jmst.2023.10.002

• Research Article • Previous Articles     Next Articles

2D/2D heterojunction interface: Engineering of 1T/2H MoS2 coupled with Ti3 C2 Tx heterostructured electrocatalysts for pH-universal hydrogen evolution

Jian Yiing Loha,b, Feng Ming Yapa,b, Wee-Jun Onga,b,c,d,e   

  1. aSchool of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University Malaysia, Sepang, Selangor Darul Ehsan 43900, Malaysia;
    bCenter of Excellence for NaNo Energy & catalysis Technology (CONNECT), Xiamen University Malaysia, Sepang, Selangor Darul Ehsan 43900, Malaysia;
    cState Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China;
    dGulei Innovation Institute, Xiamen University, Zhangzhou 363200, China;
    eShenzhen Research Institute of Xiamen University, Shenzhen 518057, China
  • Received:2023-08-24 Revised:2023-09-27 Accepted:2023-10-08 Published:2024-04-20 Online:2024-04-15
  • Contact: *School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University Malaysia, Sepang, Selangor Darul Ehsan 43900, Malaysia. E-mail address: weejun.ong@xmu.edu.my (W.-J. Ong).

Abstract: Two-dimensional (2D) materials have come to light due to their unique thickness that owns abundant exposed edges with enhanced electrocatalytic properties. 2D molybdenum disulfide (MoS2 ) nanosheet has aroused considerable attention due to its tunable surface chemistry and high electrochemical sur-face area. Nonetheless, several shortcomings associated with MoS2, such as its naturally existing semi-conducting 2H phase, which has limited active sites due to the inert basal plane, restrict its application in water electrocatalysis. Taking into account the benefits of the 1T/2H phase of MoS2, as well as the importance of engineering 2D/2D heterojunction interface for boosted electrocatalysis, metallic Ti3 C2 Tx was integrated with 1T/2H MoS2 to develop 2D/2D 1T/2H MoS2 /Ti3 C2 Tx heterostructured nanocompos-ites. Herein, with only 25 % of the intercalating agent, 1T/2H MoS2 with the highest 1T phase content of ∼82 % was successfully synthesized. It was further incorporated with 1 wt% of Ti3 C2 Tx through a com-bination of ultrasonication and mechanical stirring process. The 1T/2H MoS2 (25D)/ Ti3 C2 Tx-1 (MTC-1) manifested outstanding electrocatalytic performance with an overpotential and Tafel slope of 280 mV (83.80 mV dec-1 ) and 300 mV (117.2 mV dec-1 ), for catalyzing acidic and alkaline medium HER, respec-tively. Pivotally, the as-prepared catalysts also illustrated long-term stability for more than 40 h. The coupling method for the 2D nanosheets is crucial to suppress the oxidation of Ti3 C2 Tx and the restack-ing issue of 2D nanosheets. The superior HER activity is ascribed to the synergistic effect between the heterostructure, enhancing the electronic structure and charge separation capability. The intrinsic prop-erty of the catalyst further confirms by turnover frequency (TOF) calculation. As such, this research paves the way for designing high-efficiency 2D electrocatalysts and sheds light on the further advancement of tunable 2D electrocatalysts for robust water splitting and beyond.

Key words: 2D/2D electrocatalysts, Phase engineering, pH universal, Molybdenum disulfide Ti3 C2 Tx