Harnessing the Power of Graphene: A Critical Analysis of Graphene-Based Photocatalysts for CO2 Reduction

To address global warming and the energy problem, photocatalysis has been receiving a lot of attention nowadays for its ability to reduce carbon dioxide. Numerous investigations have been carried out to create new and effective photocatalysts for reduction of carbon dioxide. Additionally, the sustainable synthesis of valuable chemicals as well as fuels from CO2 has a lot of promise to meet the worldwide demand for energy. As a result, the extraordinary advantages of converting CO2 into useful compounds by one of the most successful approaches, i.e., photocatalysis has aroused the curiosity of scientific groups. Traditional photocatalytic substances, such as metal oxides like ZnO and TiO2, have been modified to enhance their performance and overcome hindered optical and physiochemical properties. In light of their exceptional qualities and wide range of uses, photocatalysts comprised of graphene have developed into promising materials for the synthesis of valuable compounds from carbon dioxide (CO2). These properties include high surface area, excellent electronic conductivity, superior chemical stability, outstanding electrical conductivity, potent light–matter interaction, and excellent optical transmittance. The primary focus of this work is on current, significant advances in the production and usage of photocatalysts made of graphene for CO2 reduction. This study will also clarify the challenges associated with the usage of photocatalysts based on graphene to reduce CO2. In addition, insights on the difficulties and prospects for further study in this exciting field are provided.