Graphene nanocrystals in CO2 photoreduction with H2O for fuel production

Abstract

Graphene nanocrystals can utilize solar light and are valuable in cases where electricity is lacking due to their chemical stability during the photocatalytic process, low cost and non-toxicity. However, because of the large band gap, ultraviolet light irradiation can barely excite graphene, which limits its application in the environment. CO₂ photoreduction through the visible light-responsive photocatalytic performance of graphene nanocrystals has recently been the focus of research in nanoscience due to the ability to convert pollutants into CO₂ and H₂O for environmental applications such as energy, environmental purification and wastewater treatment. This paper highlights the present improvements in CO₂ photoreduction with H₂O through the visible light-responsive photocatalytic performance of graphene nanocrystals via the development of structural modification strategies, solar harvesting, methods of synthesis and solar light catalytic mechanisms.