Two-dimensional layered double hydroxides as a platform for electrocatalytic oxygen evolution

Abstract

The Oxygen Evolution Reaction (OER) plays an essential role in hydrogen production via water splitting, metal–air secondary batteries, and artificial photosynthesis. Among the various OER catalysts, layered double hydroxides (LDHs) have attracted significant attention due to their compositional and structural flexibility, as well as tenability, and have been acknowledged as one of the most promising electrocatalysts. Nonetheless, OER possesses sluggish kinetics because it involves a four-electron pathway. Numerous efforts directed to tailoring the structure and composition of electrocatalysts have resulted in accelerated intrinsic catalytic activity and more exposed active sites, and subsequently advanced electrocatalytic performance. In this review, the recent progress of LDHs for the OER and the primary mechanisms for enhancing the electrocatalytic activity are presented. Besides, other tactics for promoting the catalytic performance, such as synthesis of LDH-based derivatives and configurations of heterostructures, are summarized, followed by a hypothesis on the enhanced OER activity. Finally, the applications of the OER, as well as the challenges in using LDHs are also discussed.