Inorganic Semiconductors —Graphene Composites in Photo(electro)catalysis: Synthetic Strategies, Interaction Mechanisms and Applications

Publication date: Available online 15 June 2017 Source:Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology C: Photochemistry Reviews Author(s): Lütfiye Yıldız Ozer, Corrado Garlisi, Habeebllah Oladipo, Mario Pagliaro, Saad Asadullah Sharief, Ahmed Yusuf, Saif Almheiri, Giovanni Palmisano The remarkable physicochemical properties of graphene (GR) and derivatives can be leveraged in the photocatalytic activity of GR-semiconductor photocatalysts. The hitherto state of knowledge on the role of GR in these composite materials is insufficient and leaves many questions unanswered, thus it is imperative to fully understand the interaction mechanisms between GR and inorganic semiconductors. Detailed study and optimization of the features related to the interface are still very much sought to efficiently design photocatalysts targeting their eventual commercialization. This review shows that photocatalytic activity of such composites depends not only on high GR electron mobility and charge transfer, but also on the properties of the interface (such as interface morphology, size, crystal phases and facet, dimensionality of composites, etc.). Focusing on the last advancements in this field, this review analyses the challenges involved in the synthetic strategies of GR-semiconductor photo(electro)catalysts in various applications including pollutant degradation, organic synthesis, hydrogen evolution and photoreduction of carbon dioxide (CO2). Mechanism of interaction between GR and se...

Source: Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology C: Photochemistry Reviews - June 16, 2017 Category: Chemistry Source Type: research