| Institution: | 1. Molecular Sciences Institute, School of Chemistry, University of the Witwatersrand, Private Bag 3, P O Wits, Johannesburg, 2050 South Africa
Center for Advanced Materials, Qatar University, Doha, 2713 Qatar;2. Gas Processing Center, College of Engineering, Qatar University, Doha, 2713 Qatar;3. Center for Advanced Materials, Qatar University, Doha, 2713 Qatar;4. Molecular Sciences Institute, School of Chemistry, University of the Witwatersrand, Private Bag 3, P O Wits, Johannesburg, 2050 South Africa |
| Abstract: | Titanium carbide (Ti3C2Tx) MXene possesses various unique physicochemical and catalytic properties. However, the electrochemical CO oxidation performance is not yet addressed experimentally. Herein, Ti3C2Tx (TX=OH, O, and F) ordered and exfoliated two-dimensional nanosheets ornamented with semi-spherical palladium nanoparticles (2.5 Wt. %) with an average diameter of (10±1 nm) (denoted as Pd/Ti3C2Tx) is rationally designed for the electrochemical CO oxidation. The fabrication process is based on the selective chemical etching of Ti3AlC2 and delamination under sonication to form Ti3C2Tx nanosheets that are used as a substrate and reducing agent for supporting in situ growth of Pd nanoparticles via impregnation with Pd salt. Interestingly, Pd-free Ti3C2Tx displayed inferior CO oxidation activity, while Pd/Ti3C2Tx enhanced the CO oxidation activity substantially. This is attributed to the combination of outstanding physicochemical properties of Ti3C2Tx and the catalytic merits of Pd nanoparticles. |
