2D Ti3C2Tx MXene-Supported Graphitic Carbon-Nitride-Decorated Co3O4 Nanoparticles as Efficient Catalysts for Oxygen Evolution Reaction

Abstract

Transition metal cobalt oxide (Co3O4) with a typical spinel structure is considered a promising electrocatalyst for oxygen evolution reaction (OER). However, its OER catalytic performance is unsatisfactory owing to its limited activity. In this study, we demonstrate that using graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) loaded Co3O4 nanoparticles and then anchoring them onto 2D Ti3C2Tx MXene with a layered structure can significantly enhance the OER catalytic performance. This performance may be due to the well-layered structure of g-C3N4, thereby enabling it to provide more attachment sites for Co3O4 nanoparticles, reducing their agglomeration properties and exposing more active sites to promote OER catalytic performance. When anchoring Co3O4@g-C3N4 on Ti3C2Tx MXene, solid-state interfacial interactions can adjust the structure of electrons and promote the rate of interfacial charge transfer, which enhances the conductivity of the catalyst and further promotes its OER catalytic performance. The overpotential required for TCN is 247 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm–2, which is significantly lower than that of pure Ti3C2Tx MXene (600 mV) and Co3O4@g-C3N4 (387 mV), in addition to exhibiting excellent electrochemical stability.