RuO2/TiO2/MXene with multi-heterojunctions coating on carbon cloth for high-activity chlorine evolution reaction at large current densities

The chlorine evolution reaction (CER) is a crucial step in the production of chlorine gas and active chlorine by chlor-alkali electrolysis. Currently, the endeavor to fabricate electrodes capable of yielding high current density at minimal overpotential remains a central challenge in advancing the realm of chlorine evolution reactions. Here, we grow TiO2 and RuO2 on MXene@carbon cloth (CC) through the favorable affinity and induced deposition effect between the surface functional groups of MXene and the metal. A self-supported electrode (RuTiO2/MXene@CC) with strong binding at the electrocatalyst–support interface and weak adhesion at electrocatalyst–bubble interface is constructed. The RuTiO2/MXene@CC can reduce the electron density of RuO2 by regulating the electron redistribution at the heterogeneous interface, thus enhancing the adsorption of Cl−. RuTiO2/MXene@CC could achieve a high current density of 1000 mA·cm−2 at a small overpotential of 220 mV, superior to commercial dimensionally stable anodes (DSA). This study provides a new strategy for constructing efficient CER catalysts at high current density.