Graphene-based hybrid photocatalysts: a promising route toward high-efficiency photocatalytic water remediation

Innovative graphene-based hybrid photocatalysts have been the subject of intense research over the last few decades due to the outstanding features which graphene (GR) can offer to compensate for the inadequacies of traditional photocatalysts. In general, the combination of GR with semiconductors leads to a marked improvement of the photocatalytic performance of the latter as a result of: (1) enhanced visible light absorption, (2) suppressed charge recombination, and (3) better adsorption properties. This chapter focuses on recent advances and present challenges of GR-based photocatalysts in the wastewater treatment field, where these composites have been mainly used for the removal of organic dyes, phenolic compounds, and Cr(VI). It is hoped that this overview will help scientific community to improve design strategies and optimize the performance of GR-based photocatalysts, paving the way for their full-scale application in the wastewater treatment field.