Multilayered Ti3C2Tx MXenes: A prominent materials for hydrogen storage

Abstract

Researchers have been looking for prominent materials for hydrogen storage around the globe. MXenes are considered comparatively newer and more efficient 2D transition metal carbides/nitrides for hydrogen storage due to their astonishing properties including high surface area, tunable interlayer spacing, and thermal stability. Notably, the tuneable and amenable surface chemistry of MXenes plays a vital role in their hydrogen storage properties. In this study, hydrogen storage properties of multilayer Ti3C2Tx MXenes are experimentally explored and investigated at 77 K for the first time. 2D Ti3C2Tx MXenes sheets are synthesized via the etching method. Multilayer Ti3C2Tx sheets are characterized by numerous physico-chemical techniques. The gravimetric hydrogen storage capacity of multilayer Ti3C2Tx MXene is measured to be ∼10.47 wt% at 25 bar and 77 K, revealing an extraordinary hydrogen uptake in the multilayer MXene sample. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first experimental report on the hydrogen storage performance of multilayer Ti3C2Tx MXenes. This outstanding hydrogen storage uptake in 2D Ti3C2Tx MXene may be a paradigm shift in the design and development of solid-state hydrogen storage technologies for portable and stationary power applications. It is hoped that the findings of this study would pique interest in more research in this area.