Layered double hydroxide-based catalysts for seawater electrolysis at industrial current densities: advances and perspectives

Abstract

Seawater electrolysis is of great significance for sustainable hydrogen production, particularly in coastal and offshore regions with abundant renewable energy but limited freshwater resources. However, the complex seawater environment, featuring chloride-induced corrosion, competitive chlorine evolution, and mechanical stress from bubble dynamics, poses severe challenges to anode activity, durability, and selectivity, especially under industrial current densities. Stimulated by the imperative for efficient, corrosion-resistant, and scalable catalysts, layered double hydroxides (LDHs) have emerged as a promising class due to their cost-effectiveness, structural tunability, and high intrinsic activity. Herein, we present a comprehensive review of recent advances in LDH-based catalysts for industrial-level seawater electrolysis. We start with a comprehensive discussion of the structural characteristics, electrocatalytic mechanisms, and deactivation pathways of LDHs. Recent advances in design strategies of LDHs for industrial seawater electrolysis, particularly those emphasizing seawater-specific stability enhancement, are systematically summarized. The mechanistic insights, derived from advanced in-situ characterization techniques under industrial current densities, are further presented. Finally, the key challenges and future perspectives are outlined to guide the development of highly durable, selective, and industrially viable LDH-based catalysts for practical seawater hydrogen production.