Investigation of the Pt/Ti₃C₂Tx Nanocomposite Prepared by γ-Radiolysis: Uncovering the Strong Metal–Support Interaction (SMSI) toward Multifunctional Electrocatalysis

MXenes have gained significant attention as layered two-dimensional (2D) materials by virtue of their favorable electrical conductivity and tunable surface properties. Herein, γ-radiolytic synthesis was carried out for the development of the Pt/Ti3C2Tx electrocatalyst via in situ generated reducing agents. Its characterization by X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) indicated strong metal–support interaction (SMSI) of Pt with Ti3C2Tx, which is pivotal for enhancing stability and facilitating electron transfer in electrochemical reactions. Using various electrochemical techniques, we studied the performance of the catalyst toward the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), oxygen evolution reaction (OER), methanol oxidation reaction (MOR), and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). With an optimum Pt loading of 35 μgPt/cm2, Pt/Ti3C2Tx revealed a lower onset potential of 0.925 V and a mass activity of 0.09 mA/μgPt for ORR. The MOR performance was assessed by its increased mass activity of 1343.11 mA/mgPt and a CO tolerance of 1.29. Additionally, Pt/Ti3C2Tx required only meager overpotentials of 65 and 650 mV for HER and OER, respectively, and hence has the potential to substitute C-based electrocatalysts. All of the studies were carried out against the state-of-the-art catalyst Pt/C. The superior performance of Pt/Ti3C2Tx can be rightfully attributed to the SMSI effect, which can be duly utilized for the achievement of better results in electrochemistry.