Efficient energy conversion and storage based on robust fluoride-free self-assembled 1D niobium carbide in 3D nanowire network

Abstract

Owing to their high robustness and conductivity, 2D transition metal carbides and nitrides known as MXenes are considered as a promising material class for electrochemical catalysis, energy conversion, and storage applications. Nevertheless, conventional hazardous fluoride-based synthesis routes and the intense intralayer bonding restrict the development of MXenes. Herein, a fluoride-free, facile, and rapid method for synthesizing self-assembled 1D architecture from an MXene-based compound is reported. The MXene nanowire (NW) not only provides a robust connection to the flexible substrate but also effectively increases the electrochemically active surface area. The kinetics-favorable structure yields a boosted performance for the hydrogen/oxygen evolution reaction and the intake of the zinc ion. The 1D NW based on MXene compound maintains high stability in a quite low overpotential of 236 mV for 24 h without detachment from the substrate and manifests an exceptional high-power density of 420 W kg−1 over 150 cycles as a flexible aqueous zinc ion battery. This work paves a novel and non-toxic synthesis method for the 1D nanofiber structure from MXene composition and demonstrates its multifunctional applications for energy conversion and storage.