Electrochemical Energy Storage with Layered Double Hydroxides

Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) comprise a versatile class of two-dimensional materials characterised by positively charged mixed-metal hydroxide layers separated by intercalated anions and water molecules. Their tunable composition, high surface area and redox-active sites endow LDHs with pronounced pseudocapacitive behaviour, making them attractive electrode materials for supercapacitors and hybrid battery systems. Key advantages include rapid ion insertion and surface redox reactions that deliver high specific capacitance and power density. However, intrinsic drawbacks such as limited electrical conductivity, layer restacking and structural instability under repeated cycling have driven the design of composite architectures and novel synthesis routes. Strategies to enhance performance range from hierarchical nanoarray formation and bimetallic synergy to hybridisation with conductive carbon scaffolds. These advances open pathways to scalable, durable devices capable of meeting the escalating demand for grid-level and portable energy storage.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Researchers have developed a cobalt–nickel–iron LDH grown in situ on carbon nanofibres, yielding a composite electrode that achieves over 1,200 F g⁻¹ at 1 A g⁻¹ and retains more than 94% capacitance after 1,000 cycles. The carbon network prevents LDH aggregation while facilitating fast electron transport, and the asymmetric device with activated carbon exhibits an energy density exceeding 30 Wh kg⁻¹. Another study introduced a one-step hydrothermal route to fabricate nickel–iron LDH/reduced graphene oxide/carbon nanofibre hybrids. This ternary construct attains a record specific capacitance of around 1,330 F g⁻¹ at 1 A g⁻¹ and sustains 97% of its capacity after 2,500 cycles; an asymmetric assembly delivers over 33 Wh kg⁻¹ with outstanding rate capability. Both works underline the importance of integrating conductive carbon phases to harness the full pseudocapacitive potential of LDHs.

Electrochemical Energy Storage with Layered Double Hydroxides publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in electrochemical energy storage with layered double hydroxides across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Layered double hydroxide (LDH): A class of lamellar materials composed of mixed-metal hydroxide layers and interlayer anions, noted for tunable composition and redox activity.

Pseudocapacitance: Charge storage mechanism involving fast surface or near-surface redox reactions, distinct from pure electrostatic double-layer capacitance.

Specific capacitance: A measure of charge storage per unit mass of electrode material, expressed in farads per gram (F g⁻¹).

Asymmetric supercapacitor: An energy storage device pairing two different electrode materials to maximise cell voltage and energy density.

Hydrothermal synthesis: A low-temperature, high-pressure method for growing crystalline materials in aqueous solution, often used for LDH nanostructures.

References

1. High performance asymmetric supercapacitor based on Cobalt Nickle Iron-layered double hydroxide/carbon nanofibres and activated carbon. Scientific Reports (2017).
2. One-step synthesis of Nickle Iron-layered double hydroxide/reduced graphene oxide/carbon nanofibres composite as electrode materials for asymmetric supercapacitor. Scientific Reports (2018).
3. Modification Strategies of Layered Double Hydroxides for Superior Supercapacitors. Advanced Energy and Sustainability Research (2022).
4. Synthesis of CNTs/CoNiFe-LDH Nanocomposite with High Specific Surface Area for Asymmetric Supercapacitor. Nanomaterials (2021).