Two‐Dimensional Layered Hydroxide Materials for Nucleophile Oxidation

Abstract

The global energy crisis highlights the need to transition from fossil fuels to sustainable, renewable sources of energy. Green hydrogen produced via renewable energy‐driven water electrolysis is an emerging alternative due to its zero emissions and high energy density. To address the high energy consumption of water electrolysis, innovative hybrid electrolyzers integrating nucleophile oxidation reactions (NOR) are under activity investigation, reducing energy demands and enabling valuable product synthesis and waste treatment, thereby enhancing the efficiency and economic viability of hydrogen production via electrocatalytic technologies. Recent advancements in layered hydroxide materials (LHMs) have markedly improved the efficiency of alkaline electrochemical conversion processes and are gaining prominence in NORs due to their expansive surface areas and tailorable characteristics through diverse engineering strategies. Further, their layered architecture is readily conducive to in‐situ characterization, using techniques like XAS, XRD, Raman, and IR spectroscopy, providing insights into their anodic NOR mechanisms. This review summarizes the latest developments in LHMs as electrocatalysts for NOR, discusses current design strategies of LHMs, and emphasizes the significance of operando characterization techniques in elucidating the reaction mechanisms of different LHMs. Finally, the future challenges and potential advancements in their scale‐up application in electrocatalytic NOR are put forward.