Investigation of NiMoSe/Ti3C2Tx on Carbon Cloth as an Effective Electrocatalyst for the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction in an Acidic Medium

Abstract

Hydrogen has the potential to play a pivotal role in decarbonizing the energy sector. Electrochemical water splitting encompasses the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) at the cathode utilizing platinum as a catalyst owing to its extraordinary performance. Nevertheless, low-cost, efficient, and stable electrocatalysts are required due to the high cost and scarcity of platinum. In the present study, a hydrothermally synthesized NiMoSe/Ti₃C₂T_x composite grown on activated carbon cloth (CC) has been investigated for its efficacy toward HER in an acidic medium (0.5 M H₂SO₄). Techniques such as X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy have been incorporated to confirm and characterize the synthesis on CC. Consequently, the atomic ratio of Ni/Mo/Se/Ti has been determined as 1:2.78:3.12:1.06. Electrochemical characterization reveals an overpotential of 403 mV at −10 mA (η₁₀) as compared to 202 mV for commercial Pt/C (40%) and a Tafel slope of 33 mV dec^–1 as opposed to 28 mV dec^–1 for Pt/C. The use of MXene has a positive effect on the stability of the composite (49 mV increase in overpotential after 1000 cycles). Furthermore, a detailed economic and cradle-to-gate life cycle assessment has been done for the synthesized electrocatalyst, revealing a cost saving of 88.4% and a global warming potential of 0.15148 kg CO₂/(mg cm^–2). The synthesized electrocatalyst can thus be used as a cost-effective and efficient catalyst for electrochemical water splitting at the cathode.