High-Potential MXenes: A Breakthrough in Green Hydrogen Production
Key Ideas
- MXenes, when properly functionalized, have proven to be excellent catalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction in water splitting, outperforming traditional metal oxide catalysts.
- The international team led by Dr. Michelle Browne has successfully demonstrated the stability and efficiency of MXene catalysts at the Berlin X-ray source BESSY II and Soleil Synchrotron in France.
- The functionalized MXene catalysts showed no degradation and even improved efficiency during continuous operation, offering great potential for low-cost and high-performance electrolysis.
- Future plans include further chemical variations of MXene catalysts and testing them in conventional electrolysers to explore their practical application in green hydrogen production.
A recent study led by HZB chemist Michelle Browne has unveiled the potential of MXenes as exceptional catalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction in electrolytic water splitting. These MXenes, when properly functionalized with copper and cobalt hydroxides, exhibited higher efficiency and stability compared to traditional metal oxide catalysts like nickel oxides. The research team, in collaboration with institutions in Ireland and the Czech Republic, conducted extensive characterizations of these MXene catalysts at the Berlin BESSY II and Soleil Synchrotron in France. Results from various techniques such as SEM/TEM, XRD, XPS, STXM, and XANES provided insights into the superior performance of MXenes. The MXene catalysts not only showed no degradation but also displayed enhanced efficiency in continuous operation, showcasing their promise for future electrolysis applications. Dr. Browne emphasized the significant potential of MXenes in revolutionizing electrolysers for green hydrogen production and highlighted the ongoing efforts to further optimize and test these catalysts for practical implementation.