A-site alloying-guided universal design of noble metal-based MAX phases

M n+1 AX n (MAX) phases have attracted significant attention due to their structural diversity and potential applications. Designing MAX phases with single-atom-thick A layers featuring 4d/5d-orbital electronic elements is interesting work. Here, we present a comprehensive report on noble metal-based M 2 (A 1- x A′ x )C (M = V, Ti, Nb; A = Al, Sn, In, Ga, Ge; A′ = Ru, Rh, Pd, Ir, Pt, Au and combinations thereof; 0 <  x ≤ 0.4) phases featuring A sublayers of 4d/5d-orbital electronic elements through an A-site alloying strategy. The chemical composition of MAX phases can be adjusted by selecting different M- and A-site elements, with morphology tailored by distinct C sources. Furthermore, the V 2 (Sn 0.8 Pt 0.2 )C (15.7 wt % Pt) catalyst showed better performance for hydrogen evolution reaction compared to the commercial Pt/C (20 wt % Pt) electrode. This study highlights the prospects of A-site alloying for the design of novel MAX phases with unique properties and promising applications in electrocatalysis and beyond.