Single platinum atoms immobilized on an MXene as an efficient catalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction

Abstract

Single-atom catalysts offer a pathway to cost-efficient catalysis using the minimal amount of precious metals. However, preparing and keeping them stable during operation remains a challenge. Here we report the synthesis of double transition metal MXene nanosheets—Mo2TiC2Tx, with abundant exposed basal planes and Mo vacancies in the outer layers—by electrochemical exfoliation, enabled by the interaction between protons and the surface functional groups of Mo2TiC2Tx. The as-formed Mo vacancies are used to immobilize single Pt atoms, enhancing the MXene’s catalytic activity for the hydrogen evolution reaction. The developed catalyst exhibits a high catalytic ability with low overpotentials of 30 and 77 mV to achieve 10 and 100 mA cm−2 and a mass activity about 40 times greater than the commercial platinum-on-carbon catalyst. The strong covalent interactions between positively charged Pt single atoms and the MXene contribute to the exceptional catalytic performance and stability. Single-atom catalysts are very attractive due to their ability to maintain high activities at the lowest possible precious metal loading. Here, a double transition metal MXene that effectively anchors single Pt atoms is reported, and exhibits superior performance and stability towards the hydrogen evolution reaction.