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The hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is an important energy conversion process that underpins many clean energy technologies including water splitting. Herein, we report for the first time the application of two-dimensional (2D) layered transition metal carbides, MXenes, as electrocatalysts for the HER. Our computational screening study of 2D layered M₂XT_x (M = metal; X = (C, N); and T_x = surface functional groups) predicts Mo₂CT_x to be an active catalyst candidate for the HER. We synthesized both Mo₂CT_x and Ti₂CT_x MXenes, and in agreement with our theoretical predictions, Mo₂CT_x was found to exhibit far higher HER activity than Ti₂CT_x. Theory suggests that the basal planes of Mo₂CT_x are catalytically active toward the HER, unlike in the case of widely studied MoS₂, in which only the edge sites of the 2H phase are active. This work paves the way for the development of novel 2D layered materials that …