Renewable and sustainable green energy generation using Bi-functional TMOs decorated layered carbon nitride anchored on MXene for oxygen evolution reactions and urea oxidation reaction performance

Abstract

This article presents a comprehensive evaluation of a novel V2O5–graphitic carbon nitride (gCN)/MXene (Ti3C2Tx) composite (VGM) electrocatalyst, designed to enhance the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and urea oxidation reaction (UOR). The VGM material was synthesized through a combination of hydrofluoric acid (HF) etching and thermal polymerization, offering a new approach for integrating transition metal oxides with 2D materials. Structural and surface analyses confirmed the successful formation of the hybrid catalyst with well-defined morphology and composition. Electrochemical studies revealed an impressively low overpotential of 151 mV and a Tafel slope of 95 mV/dec for OER, indicating excellent catalytic efficiency. The hybrid structure synergistically combines the high redox activity of V2O5, the large surface area of gCN, and the conductivity of MXene, leading to superior electrochemical performance. Additionally, the catalyst effectively drives the UOR, enabling simultaneous hydrogen generation and urea-rich wastewater remediation. This work introduces a cost-effective and multifunctional electrocatalyst design strategy, offering both energy and environmental benefits.