Review on various strategies for enhancing photocatalytic activity of graphene based nanocomposites for water purification

Abstract

Heterogeneous photocatalysis employing advanced oxidation has received significant attention for water purification and disinfection. Recently, the excellent photocatalytic and antibacterial properties of graphene-based nanomaterials have encouraged the scientists to fabricate better graphene-based nanocomposites with enhanced photoefficiency for degradation of pollutants and disinfection of water resources. This review presents an overview of the various works done on the utilization of graphene-based photocatalytic systems in water purification and, especially, focuses on the strength of graphene-based composite materials in water disinfection. Therefore, after throwing some light on the advanced oxidation processes and basic principles of heterogeneous photocatalysis, the properties of graphene and its derivatives for being employed as photocatalysts and various strategies adopted for improving their photocatalytic activity was discussed thoroughly. Also, the efficiency of graphene-based composites as disinfectants discussed in the preceding section. At the end, a conclusion was drawn to discuss the remaining challenges and prospects for using graphene-based nanocomposites in environmental sciences. Keywords: Graphene, Semiconductor photocatalysis, Graphene-based nanocomposite, Enhanced photocatalytic activity, Water purification, Disinfection