Graphene-Modified Metal Oxides and Dichalcogenides for Photocatalysis: Basic Principles, Mechanism, and Classification

Photocatalysis serves as an invaluable part of addressing energy and environmental challenges with numerous applications, including degrading pollutants in water, hydrogen generation, and carbon dioxide reduction. The process has gained significant attention due to numerous benefits, such as low cost and high efficiency. The chapter reviews graphene-based composites involving metal oxide and dichalcogenides for photocatalysis applications. The chapter explores the fundamental principles, classification, mechanism, limitations, and operating parameters of graphene-metal oxide and dichalcogenides composites. The necessary theory and background to comprehend the electronic and optical properties of graphene-based photocatalysts were also evaluated. A variety of graphene-metal oxide heterojunctions, modified with TiO2, ZnO, SnO2, WO3, Fe2O3, and Cu2O, were evaluated for photocatalytic processes. Integrating metal oxides and dichalcogenides with graphene improves the specific surface area, optical characteristics, photostability, and charge separation of the resultant heterojunction, leading to enhanced photocatalytic activity.