State-of-the-art progress in the rational design of layered double hydroxide based photocatalysts for photocatalytic and photoelectrochemical H2/O2 production

Photocatalytic (PC) and Photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting have been regarded as an attainable and sustainable strategy to obtain hydrogen and oxygen. Developing earth-abundant H2/O2-production catalysts with high catalytic activity and robust stability has attracted much attention. Due to the flexible multiple metal cations in the host layers, intercalated anions with interlayer spaces, and good chemical/physical stability, Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) have been proved as versatile and robust catalysts/co-catalysts in PC/PEC water splitting. In this article, recent progress in the rational design of LDH-based catalysts toward PC/PEC are well reviewed. Firstly, the characteristic of LDH is briefly introduced. Then, we specifically addressed the recent research efforts toward the application of pristine LDHs and semiconductor/LDH materials as photocatalytic catalysts in photocatalytic H2-generation, O2-evolution and photoelectrochemical water splitting. Finally, the remaining challenges to investigate and optimize the catalyzing ability of LDH based catalysts are stated to promote possible future development of LDH.