A Review on the Progress and Future of TiO2/Graphene Photocatalysts

Abstract

TiO2 is seen as a low cost, well-known photocatalyst; nevertheless, its sluggish charge kinetics does limit its applications. To overcome this aspect, one of the recent approaches is the use of its composites with graphene to enhance its photoactivity. Graphene-based materials (nanosheets, quantum dots, etc.) allow for attachment with TiO2 nanostructures, resulting in synergistic properties and thus increasing the functionality of the resulting composite. The current review aims to present the marked progress recently achieved in the use of TiO2/graphene composites in the field of photocatalysis. In this respect, we highlight the progress and insights in TiO2 and graphene composites in photocatalysis, including the basic mechanism of photocatalysis, the possible design strategies of the composites and an overview of how to characterize the graphene in the mixed composites. The use of composites in photocatalysis has also been reviewed, in which the recent literature has opened up more questions related to the reliability, potential, repeatability and connection of photocatalytic mechanisms with the resulting composites. TiO2/graphene-based composites can be a green light in the future of photocatalysis, targeting pollution remediation, energy generation, etc.

Fabrication of Novel Heterostructure-Functionalized Graphene-Based TiO2-Sr-Hexaferrite Photocatalyst for Environmental Remediation

“…Figure 6 shows that by including TiO 2 -FG in our graphene-based nanomaterials, its sharp edge in the visible range has been improved. The unpaired π electron in FG may interact with metal or semiconductor nanoparticles, shifting the band edge and causing more light to be absorbed in the visible spectrum [ 33 ]. The shift in absorption edge towards the visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum by utilizing titanium-based carbon composites was also reported elsewhere [ 34 ].…”

Recent advances in nitrogen-doped graphene-based heterostructures and composites: mechanism and active sites for electrochemical ORR and HER

“…For example, the hydrothermal approach was used to successfully synthesize N-TiO 2 nanowires (NW) and N-doped graphene (NG)-based heterostructures. 73,74 The hydrothermal approach has been developed to overcome limitations such as 100 °C as the upper limit temperature range for reactions taking place in the aqueous phase, where this low upper limit temperature range limits the use of aqueous-phase reactions to synthesize materials that are produced at a relatively high temperature. Using the hydrothermal/solvothermal approach, high-quality control of morphology, shape and size can be achieved.…”

Mechanistic Understanding in Manipulating Energetics of TiO2 for Photocatalysis

“…This additional heat will enhance the migration of the electron–hole in the composite and thus increase the separation of the charge, exhibiting greater photocatalytic CO 2 reduction activity than only a-TiO 2 . Graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide (r-GO) composite materials with TiO 2 create a charge transfer channel toward GO and r-GO, which reduces surface recombination. ,− Graphene oxide-based SiO 2 /WO 3 –TiO 2 /r-GO and BiOBr/Bi 2 S 3 /TiO 2 /GO nanocomposites produce synergistic effects between semiconductors and graphene in visible light active degradation of colored pollutants in water. , Introduction of C 60 particles in Pt/TiO 2 catalyst was also reported to increase electron transfer by creating a bridge and as a result, reduce charge accumulation at the interface …”