Downsizing nanoarchitectonics of multilayered MXenes electrocatalysts towards real time ion tracking via EQCM and electrocatalytic applications

Abstract

Since their discovery, engineering two-dimensional (2D) MXene materials have attracted rapid interest in both energy storage and conversion applications. Among the several techniques being introduced for enhancing material properties, downsizing is one among the interesting approaches. Downsizing involves the deliberate scaling down of active 2D materials, such as MXenes, systematically. Although major studies are focused on the electrochemical applications of single layered MXene flakes, curiosity in evaluating the downsized multilayered MXenes for electrochemical applications motivates this project. Thus, in the current study, the multilayered bulk MXenes are sequentially stepped down to smaller multilayered fragments at definite time intervals, and subsequently the potential of this procured heterogeneous polydispersed solution are evaluated towards electrochemical applications without any further post-treatments. Real time monitoring of lithium-ion exchange in the downsized MXene materials at various time intervals was tracked using the electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance technique, where the downsized MXene system exhibited water-assisted lithium-ion transfer behavior. Increase in mass exchange was found to increase with increase in downsized MXene systems, thus making it very interesting towards ion storage applications. Further, downsized MXene electrocatalyst material delivered the lowest onset potential for hydrogen production among the set of catalysts studied. In short, this study outlines and pioneers some interesting observations regarding both energy storage and catalytic applications of multilayered downsized MXenes, thereby opening up new possibilities for facile, rapid and cost-effective material fabrication approaches.