The Application of CoFe Layered Double Hydroxide-Based Materials in Oxygen Evolution Reaction

Oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is a key process for green and sustainable energy storage and transfer technologies like electrocatalytic water splitting, rechargeable metal-air batteries, regenerative fuel cells, etc. Nevertheless, the high potential barrier and sluggish kinetic process limit its overall performance. Thus, designing and exploiting high-efficient, robust and noble-metal-free catalysts is one of the challenges in the field of new energy. CoFe layered double hydroxide (CoFe LDH) possesses broad prospects in OER due to the extraordinary features such as unique 2D layered structures, multiple and flexible chemical compositions, high dispersive metal cations, excellent stability and low cost. However, the poor conductivity and insufficient reactive sites hamper its industrial application. Beginning with the introduction of the structure of CoFe LDH and the elaboration of the proposed mechanisms for OER, the preparation of CoFe LDH and the current modification strategies for CoFe LDH to thoroughly boost its reactivity are summarized including intercalation and exfoliation, vacancy creation, hybridization, ions substitution and their derivatives. At last, the current challenges and future directions for LDH-based nanostructures in energy conversion and utilization are discussed.