« Composition and Defect Control in MXenes for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction«
MXenes are a large family of 2D transition metal carbides, carbonitrides, and nitrides with over 100 synthesized compositions to date. Their chemical and structural diversity arises from designer control over transition metals, non-metal X sublattices (C, N, or both), surface terminations, and atomic-layer configurations. This compositional space enables systematic tuning of electronic structure, surface chemistry, and catalytic behavior.
In this talk, I will present four areas within a composition–structure–property framework for understanding and designing MXenes for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). I will first discuss the role of transition metal selection and atomic-layer thickness in tuning electrocatalytic behavior of MXenes, including single and ordered double-metal MXenes. I will then focus on non-metal sublattice engineering and show that, in Mo-containing MXenes, ~25% substitution of carbon with nitrogen provides the optimal HER activity, with both lower and higher nitrogen contents resulting in reduced performance due to changes in the electronic structure.
I will also discuss the role of compositional complexity in high-entropy MXenes with up to nine transition metals, where the distribution and probability of active sites, rather than composition alone, determine catalytic performance. Finally, I will present our systematic studies on defect engineering, including control of metal and non-metal vacancies and flake size, and how these defects influence HER activity by modifying local electronic environments and lowering overpotential.
Salle 124, 1er étage, Bâtiment B27 – Vendredi 22 Mai 10h00
Informations complémentaires
Dr. Babak Anasori is the Reilly Rising Star Associate Professor at Purdue University, with joint appointments in the Schools of Materials Engineering and Mechanical Engineering. He also serves as the Editor-in-Chief of Graphene and 2D Materials, a Springer-Nature journal. Dr. Anasori received his PhD from Drexel University in 2014 in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, the birthplace of MXenes. Dr. Anasori has authored over 210 refereed publications on MXenes and their precursors and has been recognized as a Web of Science Highly Cited Researcher since 2019. He has received several international awards, including the 2016 Materials Research Society (MRS) Postdoctoral Award, the 2021 Drexel University 40-under-40, the 2021 Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology (WIN) Rising Star Award in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, the 2024 Early Discovery Award by the American Ceramic Society (ACerS), the 2024 Kavli Foundation Early Career Lectureship in Materials Science by MRS, and the 2026 Purdue University Faculty Excellence Award for Early Career Research. Dr. Anasori’s research lab focuses on developing novel 2D carbide and carbonitride MXenes for various applications, including energy generation, electromagnetic interference shielding, and ultra-high temperature and extreme environments.