2D Photocatalytic Materials for Environmental Applications

Abstract

The employment of two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials in photocatalytic applications in the environment has drawn extensive research interest. Due to their unique features, 2D materials have numerous merits in charge transport, light harvesting, morphology design and surface modulation. Hence, 2D materials have become an essential part in the photocatalyst family. This chapter summarises the recent progress in the exploitation of 2D materials for efficient environmental remediation and the key chemistry and engineering issues limiting photocatalysis in real-world applications. 2D materials such as graphene, g-C3N4, black phosphorus, metal oxide nanosheets and transition metal chalcogenides are introduced. Strategies for enhancing the photocatalytic performance of 2D materials (e.g., hybridisation, doping, grain boundary engineering, assembly) are discussed. Moreover, numerous important works on the application of these materials in photocatalytic air purification, water disinfection and heavy metal detoxification are reviewed. Finally, the challenges and future outlook for the application of 2D materials in photocatalytic environmental remediation are highlighted.