When ZIF-67 meets V2C MXene to form an advanced electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction in alkaline media

Efficient electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in alkaline electrolytes can ensure both durability and safety in electrolysis devices. The synergistic integration of metal-organic frameworks and two-dimensional materials holds promise for advancing electrocatalytic performance. Herein, we hybridized V2C MXene and the cobalt-based imidazolate zeolitic framework (ZIF-67) by an in-situ precipitation method and investigated its electrocatalytic properties for HER in 1 M KOH solution. Characterization unveiled the successful intercalation of ZIF-67 within the layers of V2C MXene nanosheets. The resulting V2C/ZIF-67 hybrid achieves a good current density of 10 mAcm−2 at a modest overpotential of 197 mV vs RHE and a Tafel slope of 76 mVdec−1. Significantly, the hybrid material shows excellent stability with a minor overpotential loss of 5.5 mV, whereas the Pt/C-20% exhibits a more pronounced loss of 15.3 mV after 12 h of chronopotentiometry. Capitalizing on ZIF-67's substantial active surface and exceptional electrical conductivity of V2C MXene, hybrid material enables the fast transfer of charges and ions across the interface, culminating in its superior electrocatalytic prowess.