Innovative laser-assisted deposition of platinum nanoparticles onto the Ti3C2Tx MXenes and its application for hydrogen evolution

Hydrogen emerges as a key candidate in the transition toward sustainable energy systems; however, the development of efficient and cost-effective electrode materials remains a major challenge. In this study, we report a novel laser-assisted synthesis of Pt / Ti 3 C 2 T x nanohybrid electrocatalysts with a low load of noble metal. The developed catalysts presented outstanding electrocatalytic properties for hydrogen evolution reactions (HER). The Ti 3 C 2 T x MXene is synthesized via a MILD route using an aqueous solution of LiF and HCl as an etchant. Pt / Ti 3 C 2 T x were produced by dispersing the MXene in dimethyl sulfoxide and mixing it with H 2 PtCl 6 (in the ratio of 1 and 2 wt% of Pt). The solution is freeze-dried and in situ photo-reduced using a 450 nm laser under an argon atmosphere. Microstructural characterizations by TEM reveal a uniform distribution of Pt nanoparticles with a diameter ranging from 1.5 to 1.7 nm, a narrow particle size distribution and pyramidal morphology. Electrochemical tests, including chronoamperometry, linear sweep voltammetry, and Tafel plots, demonstrate an improvement in HER activity, with a marked reduction in overpotential, from −344 mV to −89 mV at 10 mA/cm2. Tafel slope of 90 mV/dec demonstrates fast kinetics. The investigated approach successfully produced high-performance and cost-effective electrocatalysts with low Pt loading on highly conductive and stable MXene substrates.