Inducing two-dimensional single crystal TiN arrays with exposed {111} facets by a novel chemical vapor deposition with excellent electrocatalytic activity for hydrogen evolution reaction

Two-dimensional (2D) single crystal transition metal nitrides (TMNs) with exposed active crystal planes have great value for fundamental science and technological applications. However, it is still a great challenge to synthesize the non-layer crystal structured 2D single crystal TMNs, e.g. the face-centered cubic (FCC) 2D single crystal TiN, which would have distinct properties. Herein, for the first time, an induction-inhibition strategy was successfully developed to break through the intrinsic limitation and the weak anisotropic growth tendency of the FCC TiN. Single-crystalline TiN nanosheet (about 5.14 nm thickness) arrays with exposed {111} active facets were synthesized successfully on a large scale by the new strategy, where the layer arrays were induced by a layered TiNCl intermediate formed by the chemical vapor deposition reaction of a new titanium source (TiCl3) with NH3 and the exposed {111} facets was caused by the chemisorbed Cl inhibitor. The special 2D single crystal TiN arrays exhibited excellent catalytic activity and durability for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) from water electrolysis.

Automated summary

An induction-inhibition strategy was developed to successfully synthesize large-scale growth of two-dimensional single crystal TiN nanosheet arrays with exposed {111} active facets, exhibiting excellent catalytic activity and durability.