Platinum Nanoparticle-Electrodeposited Ti3C2Tx MXene as a Binder-Free Electrocatalyst for Improved Hydrogen Evolution

Noble metal platinum (Pt) exhibits an intriguing catalytic performance in an acid medium for hydrogen evolution reaction but is limited in application by the scarcity and the high cost. In this work, we report a facile electrochemical method that is applicable to the fabrication of a binder-free Ti3C2Tx MXene-supported low-Pt loading electrocatalyst. The formed Pt nanoparticle-deposited two-dimensional Ti3C2Tx MXene (denoted as PtNP/Ti3C2Tx) demonstrates better electrocatalytic activity toward hydrogen evolution compared to the 20% Pt/C catalyst, which possesses a lower overpotential of 12 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm–2, a higher turnover frequency value of 8.19 s–1, and a mass activity of 3.57 A mgPt–1 at η = 50 mV. Additionally, density functional theory calculations revealed that the improved catalytic activities stem from the synergistic effect between Pt and Ti3C2Tx MXene. This work provides a simple and effective way for the direct conversion of Pt electrodes into well-defined Pt nanocrystals on the surface of a binder-free Ti3C2Tx MXene support and holds great potential for the large-scale application of low-Pt electrocatalysts in industry.