Recent progress on graphene-based photocatalysts: current status and future perspectives

Abstract

Graphene (GR) has become a sparkling rising star on the horizon of material science. Due to its unique planar structure, excellent transparency, superior electron conductivity and mobility, high specific surface area, and high chemical stability, GR is regarded as an ideal high performance candidate to prepare GR-based nanocomposites for energy storage and conversion. During the past few years, GR-based photocatalysts have been attracting ever-increasing research attention. In this tutorial review, the applications of GR-based nanocomposites in photocatalysis, including nonselective processes for degradation of pollutants, selective transformations for organic synthesis and water splitting to clean hydrogen energy, are summarized systematically. In particular, in addition to discussing opportunities offered by GR, we will also describe the existing challenges for future exploitation and development of GR-based nanocomposites, which we hope would significantly advance us to rationally and efficiently harness the outstanding structural and electronic properties of GR to design smarter and more efficient GR-based photocatalysts instead of joining the graphene “gold rush”.