Issue 1, 2023

Recent progress in semiconductor/graphene photocatalysts: synthesis, photocatalytic applications, and challenges

Abstract

The presence of an increasing number of organic pollutants in water now poses serious risks to both human health and ecological systems. Many of these pollutants are persistent and non-biodegradable. The contamination of fresh water by harmful substances has compelled researchers to develop innovative, efficient, and cost-effective water remediation techniques and materials. Thus, photocatalysis has long been recognized as a promising approach to tackle both environmental remediation and the energy crisis. However, semiconductor photocatalysts frequently suffer from defects such as photo-generated charge carrier recombination, poor visible light response, and slow surface reaction kinetics, which can be remedied by modifications with appropriate co-catalysts. Therefore, graphene and its derivatives have widely been used as supports for semiconductors and photocatalysts due to their distinctive optical, physicochemical, and electrical features. This critical review addresses the current progress in the design and synthesis of graphene/semiconductor photocatalysts, as well as their use in photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants and hydrogen production. Several influencing parameters are addressed, including pH, photocatalyst loading, initial pollutant concentration, light wavelength, and oxidizing species, all of which could have a significant impact on the rate of organic pollutant's degradation. Furthermore, the recyclability of the catalyst and its photocatalytic activity mechanisms are thoroughly discussed. Numerous case studies are systematically presented. Moreover, future prospects and major challenges are highlighted.

Graphical abstract: Recent progress in semiconductor/graphene photocatalysts: synthesis, photocatalytic applications, and challenges

Article information

Article type
Review Article
Submitted
14 11 2022
Accepted
14 12 2022
First published
21 12 2022
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY-NC license

RSC Adv., 2023,13, 421-439

Recent progress in semiconductor/graphene photocatalysts: synthesis, photocatalytic applications, and challenges

M. A. Ahmed and A. A. Mohamed, RSC Adv., 2023, 13, 421 DOI: 10.1039/D2RA07225D

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