3D interweaving MXene–graphene network–confined Ni–Fe layered double hydroxide nanosheets for enhanced hydrogen evolution

The design and construction of high-performance and low-cost Pt-free electrode materials based on earth-abundant transition metal elements are very helpful to break the technical bottleneck of the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). In the present work, a robust and convenient bottom-up strategy is developed to the controllable synthesis of 3D interweaving Ti3C2Tx MXene-reduced graphene oxide network-confined Ni-Fe layered double hydroxide nanosheets (LDH/MX-RGO) via a co-assembly process. Such a newly-designed configuration offers a number of favorable textural features, such as highly accessible surface areas, abundant porosity, plentiful exposed active centers, optimized electronic structure, and adequate electron conducting pathways. By taking the synergistic effects, the resulting LDH/MX-RGO architectures express enhanced HER performance in terms of lower onset potentials, smaller Tafel slopes, larger electrochemically active surface areas, and longer lifespan in the alkaline solution, which are superior to those of bare Ni-Fe LDHs, Ti3C2Tx, RGO as well as binary LDH/MX and LDH/RGO catalysts. This work is anticipated to open new avenues for utilizing 3D porous MXene-carbon frameworks as solid supports for the ingenious design of efficient and inexpensive electrocatalysts.