Unraveling catalytic synergy in the MXene-derived NiFe-LDH composites for efficient OER and HER

The global energy crisis and climate change demands the rapid transition to sustainable hydrogen production, with electrocatalytic water splitting as a promising solution. However, slow rate of oxygen evolution reaction (OER) kinetics and high energy requirements for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in alkaline media remain major challenges. Transition metal catalysts, particularly NiFe-layered double hydroxides (NiFe-LDH), exhibit promising OER activity but suffer from limited conductivity and limited active site accessibility. Meanwhile, 2D MXenes have emerged as effective supports due to their high conductivity, hydrophilicity, and tunable surface chemistry. This review highlights the synergistic integration of NiFe-LDH with MXenes to enhance catalytic performance through improved interfacial electronic coupling and charge transfer. It discusses advanced synthesis strategies, morphological engineering, and defect modulation. Finally, current challenges and future prospects are outlined, providing insights into the rational design of efficient, earth-abundant bifunctional electrocatalysts for large-scale hydrogen production.