Recent advances in hydrotalcite-derived catalysts for methane reforming technologies

Methane reforming (MR) technologies offer important pathways for syngas production, hydrogen generation, and methane valorization, with potential relevance to energy sustainability and climate-change mitigation. Among various catalytic systems, hydrotalcite (HT)-based support materials have garnered growing interest due to their structural versatility, tunable chemical composition, and strong basicity. This review comprehensively explores recent advances in the development of HT-derived catalysts tailored for methane reforming reactions, including dry reforming (DRM), steam reforming (SRM), partial oxidation (POM), autothermal reforming (ATR), combined reforming, and tri-reforming. Emphasis is placed on understanding the structure evolution and physicochemical properties of these layered double hydroxides (LDHs) as catalyst supports, and their various synthesis and treatment methods. The review further investigates the synergistic roles of promoters and dopants in enhancing activity, selectivity, and resistance to deactivation. Recent advances in in situ and operando characterization together with atomistic modeling are also discussed to provide mechanistic insight into reaction pathways and material behavior. Finally, the remaining challenges associated with synthesis reproducibility, thermal and hydrothermal stability, sulfur tolerance, regeneration, scalability, and industrial implementation are critically assessed, with future prospects outlined for designing next-generation HT-derived reforming catalysts. By comparing HT-derived catalysts across multiple methane reforming routes, this review identifies common structure-performance descriptors and practical limitations that must be addressed for the rational design of durable catalyst for lower-carbon reforming processes.