Layered double hydroxides functionalized by carbonaceous materials: from preparation to energy and environmental...

Along with the exponential demand for energy and pollution-free-environment, layered double hydroxides (LDHs) have gained extensive explorations because of their diverse nanostructures and tunable elemental compositions. However, the applications of LDHs are hindered by their poor activity, sluggish mass transfer, and aggregation. LDHs functionalized by carbonaceous materials (CMs) (LDH-CM) are expected to overcome the above disadvantages and even generate more excellent performance. This review first analyzes the research evolvement of LDH-CM composites during the past 25 years. Next, the advantages of LDH-CM composites are highlighted, such as morphology optimization, high electrical conductivity, more stable, good heat, and mass transfer performance. Following the synthetic strategies, including chemical assembly of LDHs and CMs, direct growth of LDH on CMs (two-step nucleation and growth and surface-confined growth) and direct CM formation on LDHs are fully discussed. Then, the recent progress achieved in LDH-CM composites for the application of energy storage and environmental protection is summarized in detail. In particular, the review illustrates the reasons why these constructing strategies can improve the performance of LDH-CM composites. Finally, challenges and future research prospects of LDH-CM composites are highlighted.