Wei, S., Kale, G. orcid.org/0000-0002-3021-5905 and Lai, X. (2024) Unlocking Enhanced Electrochemical Performance of MBene-MoB Through Controlled Aluminum Dissipation from MoAlB. Small, 20 (38). 2401573. ISSN 1613-6810
Abstract
2D transition metal borides, known as MBenes, have attracted considerable attention due to their exceptional properties. This study explores the feasibility of aluminum (Al) etching from MoAlB using environmentally friendly and sustainable fluoride-free dilute acidic/alkaline solutions at room temperature, revealing its thermodynamic and kinetic viability. Furthermore, it is found that complete removal of Al can be achieved in dilute alkaline reagent under hydrothermal conditions, yielding pristine single/few-layered MBene-MoB for the first time, while acidic solutions result in ≈33% etching rates. XRD refinement, which tracks aluminum removal from 0% to 100%, reveals transient metastable phases of MoAl₁₋ₓB (x < 0.5) in the initial etching stages, evolving into relatively stable pure Mo₂AlB₂ structures with 50% Al deficiency, serving as a precursor to MBenes. The subsequent loss of Al results in a 2D MBene-MoB structure. DFT calculations confirm excellent conductivity for MoAlB, MoAl₁₋ₓB (x = 0–1), and MBene-MoB. Remarkably, MBene-MoB exhibits superior supercapacitor performance with a 4025.60 mF cm⁻²/201.28 F g⁻¹ capacitance. Simulations validate rapid electrolyte diffusion in layered MBene-MoB, contributing significantly to enhanced capacitance. Additionally, in the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), MBene-MoB demonstrates superior catalytic activity compared to the precursor MoAlB and commercial MoB. Calculations suggest the potential for enhancing HER through surface modulation, considering its suboptimal hydrogen adsorption energy.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2024 The Author(s). Small published by Wiley-VCH GmbH This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs License, which permits use and distribution in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited, the use is non-commercial and no modifications or adaptations are made. |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Engineering & Physical Sciences (Leeds) > School of Chemical & Process Engineering (Leeds) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 02 Jul 2024 11:14 |
Last Modified: | 15 Oct 2024 13:36 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Wiley |
Identification Number: | 10.1002/smll.202401573 |
Related URLs: | |
Sustainable Development Goals: | |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:213953 |