Niobay Metals Inc. · TSXV:NBY
Niobay Metals — CMSC 2026
18 slides from Niobay Metals's conference presentation, April 2026
Slide 1: Niobium-Based MAX (Nb2AlC) and MXene (Nb2CTx) Materials for the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction
NIOBIUM-BASED MAX (Nb2AlC) AND MXENE (Nb2CTX) MATERIALS FOR THE HYDROGEN EVOLUTION REACTION Parul (Bansal), Mingui Hao, Daniel Guay, Ana C. Tavares Institut national de la recherche scientifique - Énergie Matériaux Télécommunications Research Centre 1650 Lionel-Boulet Blvd. Varennes, Quebec J3X 1P7
Slide 2: Importance of Electrochemistry in Climatic and Sustainable Energy
Importance of Electrochemistry in Climatic and Sustainable Energy • Cleaner energy generation • Wastewater treatment • Efficient resources recovery • Recycling and material recovery • Effective pollutant removal • Electrochemical sensors 2 https://www.primescholars.com/articles/harnessing-electroche
Slide 3: History of MXene and motivation towards electrochemistry
History of MXene and motivation towards electroch Ti3AlC2 Nb2AlC • Discovered in 2011 • by Prof. Yury Gogotsi & Michel Barsoum Why Nb2CTx over other MXene materials: • Superior electronic conductivity and Why MXenes are preferred for electrochemical performance electrochemistry? • Less explored than
Slide 4: Literature survey of hydrogen evolution reaction studies of Nb2CTX
Literature survey of hydrogen evolution reaction studies of Nb2CTX • Gibbs free energy plot is used to determine whether materials have activity for HER • MXenes carry mixed terminations (-F, -OH, -O) which are heterogeneous active sites • Activity is termination dependent (-OH > -O > -F) Routes to
Slide 5: Synthesis methods, challenges and objectives of this work
Synthesis methods, challenges and objectives of this work MILD method: • Vast majority of the reports: Nb2AlC MAX powders immersed into 47-51% HF at room temp for 160 h • MILD method using LiF:HCl less hazardous alternative route but different reaction condition with variation in time and temperatur
Slide 6: Methodology: Schematic Presentation for Nb2AlC to Nb2CTx - MILD
Methodology Schematic Presentation for Nb2AlC to Nb2CTx - MILD Washing Etching & LiF-HCl/ 24-90 h Purification 48-50˚C Centrifugation Cycles pH (5-6) MAX (Nb2AlC) MXene (Nb2CTx) multilayer (F/OH) Bulk sample Supernatant (taken from sediment) XRD and SEM Nb Al C 6
Slide 7: X-ray diffraction and Scanning Electron Microscopy images
X-ray diffraction and Scanning Electron Microscopy images 4.0 Nb AlC_24 Hrs_48 deg 2 (004) (103) 3.5 (004) Normalized intensity (a.u.) (002) Nb2AlC (Commercial grade) 3.0 Intensity (a.u.) Nb AlC_24 Hrs_RT 2 2.5 (103) (002) (004) (004) (103) 2.0 1.5 (004) Nb AlC_0 Hrs 2 (002) 1.0 0.5 (103) (004) 10 2
Slide 8: Bulk material - Effect of time (0 to 90 Hours) at 48 ℃
Bulk material - Effect of time (0 to 90 Hours) at 48 ℃ (002) (004) Nb2AlC_90 Hr * • Samples taken for XRD are from bulk material * * * * (200) after washing and purification. (002) Nb2AlC_72 Hr • Reduction in the intensity of peaks at 12.8° and 25.3 (004) ° 2θ indicates conversion of MAX to MXene *
Slide 9: Bulk material Time dependent SEM of Nb2AlC to Nb2CTx transformation
Bulk material Time dependent SEM of Nb2AlC to Nb2CTx transformation 24 Hr 48 48 Hr Hr 72 Hr 90 Hr 10 μm 20 μm 20 μm 20 μm 20 μm At higher magnification 24 Hr 48 72 90 Hr Hr Hr 5 μm 5 μm 5 μm 5 μm 9
Slide 10: Bulk material Mapping of all the samples
Bulk material Mapping of all the samples 24 Hrs Nb Al F Cl C 48 Hrs 72 Hrs 90 Hrs Presence of all the elements including Nb, C, Al and functional groups as F and Cl 10
Slide 11: Bulk material Elemental analysis of all the samples
Bulk material Elemental analysis of all the samples 24 Hrs 48 Hrs Nb:Al:F:Cl – 30:10:11:1 Nb:Al:F:Cl – 10 :10 :24 :1 72 Hrs 90 Hrs Nb:Al:F:Cl – 28:10:19:1 Nb:Al:F:Cl – 32:10:7:1 11 Intensity of Nb and Al at 24 hours is changing to more Nb content on increasing time period confirms the etching.
Slide 12: Supernatant's structure and morphology
Supernatant’s structure and morphology Nb2AlC_90 Hours Supernatant Filtered Nb-MXene 7.2 ̊ 10 20 30 40 50 60 Blank 10 20 30 40 50 60 2 theta (θ) • SEM performed on sample from supernatant solution after purification of 90 hours of reaction • Uniformity of etched Mxene can be observed on left image •
Slide 13: Elemental mapping of Nb2CTx (supernatant solution after 90 hr)
Elemental mapping of Nb2CTx (supernatant solution after 90 hr) Nb:Al:F:Cl – 70:10:80:1 The signal of Al is very weak in supernatant solution indicating absence of aluminium salts (such as 13 AlF )
Slide 14: Electrochemical studies of Nb2CTX_90 hours bulk vs supernatant
Electrochemical studies of Nb2CTX_90 hours bulk vs supernatant Electrode preparation 15 min of • Bulk or supernatant powders + dispersion in IPA, DI water and Nafion sonication 20 μL drop casted All studies are performed in 0.5 M H2SO4 at 20 mV /s scan rate 0 Parameter Bulk Supernatant Picture of el
Slide 15: Conclusion and Future Outcome
Conclusion • Successful synthesis and characterization of time dependent transformation of Nb2AlC to multilayer Nb2CTX type materials. • With MAX/MXenes, the complete removal of Al not possible under these synthesis conditions. • Electrochemical activity for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) of supe
Slide 16: Acknowledgements
Acknowledgements C> nerae PRIMA ‘Ss> NioBa CRSNG Les matériaux pour avancer METALS
Slide 17: Removed slides note
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Slide 18: Major synthesis methods and challenges and safety issues
Major synthesis methods and challenges and safety issues M Small 2023, 19, 2206098 Challenges in lab : • Reproducibility • Long purification steps We are majorly following etchant method (Minimally Intensive Layer • Aggregation and storage delamination; (MILD; LiF/HCl)) To avoid the hazard issues wi