The hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is important for the advancement of next-generation electrochemical energy devices. search an alternative inexpensive catalyst conversion to replace expensive and rare noble metals high priority. There has been a significant push investigate electrocatalysis various layered materials evolution. However, electrocatalytic activity MAX phases remains largely u...

ii The cover image is based on a photograph of arc spots moving on the surface of a Ti cathode, taken during the first experimental session in our new PVD research system, Hydra. The explosive plasma generation in the arc spots is central to the cathodic arc deposition technique, studied and used extensively for synthesis in the Thesis. Abstract This Thesis explores the arc deposition process a...