Comparison of Graphene-Enhanced Photocatalysis with Traditional Methods for Wastewater Treatment

Life depends on water, and we often forget how inextricably linked water and life are. Due to rapid development in industrial sectors, there is a proportionate increase in the release of contaminants-laden wastewater from these industries. The discharged wastewater contaminates the usable water resources, thus making them inappropriate for drinking. Different dye compounds, organic solvents, chemical products like insecticides and pesticides, heavy metals, and hazardous solid wastes are emitted from these industries, thus adversely affecting the ecosystem. To preserve both the ecosystem and human health, it is of paramount importance to properly treat discharged wastewater. There has been considerable attention recently paid to graphene-based photocatalysts for wastewater treatment since these compounds have very attractive physical, chemical, and mechanical properties that are extremely useful in wastewater treatment. A graphene-based photocatalyst exhibits remarkable electron conductivity, attractive surface area, high adsorption capacity, and a broad range of light absorption characteristics. These properties make graphene a highly functional photocatalyst material. Fabrication of nanocomposites or heterojunctions by combining polymers, MXene, or other semiconductors with graphene has shown to enhance the overall photocatalytic activity by synergistic effects between the components. Moreover, graphene also provides support for anchoring of metal nanoparticles and metal oxide nanoparticles, which again leads to an increase in photodegradation activity against pollutants. In light of this, the present study will discuss several topics about water pollution and wastewater treatment, including photocatalytic degradation, and how coalescing other semiconductors with graphene has shown to improve the efficiency of photocatalysis in removing organic pollutants.