Layered double hydroxide materials based next-generation photocatalytic system for CO₂ reduction and H₂ production applications

Photocatalytic technology is advancing rapidly, offering enormous potential for fostering a sustainable future. Its ability to enable clean energy production through eco-friendly applications has made it a key component of global sustainability efforts. Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) have emerged as promising photocatalysts owing to their unique structural, electronic, and chemical properties. These qualities place LDHs at the forefront of addressing emerging energy and environmental challenges, further strengthening their importance in photocatalytic applications. The various compositions of LDHs, achieved through the selective variation of metal cations (M²⁺ and M³⁺), enable precise bandgap engineering to optimize light absorption. Furthermore, LDHs exhibit remarkable stability under ultraviolet and visible light, ensuring their durability over time. Their light-harvesting and catalytic activities are further enhanced when integrated with other materials, thereby expanding their application scope. These synergistic properties enable LDHs to excel in photocatalytic processes aimed at clean and sustainable energy generation. This review emphasizes LDH-based heterostructures for photocatalytic energy conversion, particularly in hydrogen (H₂) production and carbon dioxide (CO₂) reduction, highlighting their considerable potential to drive the development of a durable LDH photocatalytic system for future sustainable energy solutions is also presented.