Photocatalytic Processes in Carbon-Composite Systems

Photocatalytic processes in carbon-composite systems harness light energy to drive chemical transformations via semiconductor–carbon hybrids. In these composites, carbonaceous materials such as activated carbon, carbon nanotubes, graphene derivatives and biochars serve multiple functions: they extend light absorption into the visible range, facilitate interfacial charge separation, and provide large surface areas for adsorption of reactants. Upon illumination, the semiconductor component (commonly titanium dioxide or tungsten oxide) generates electron–hole pairs; the carbon phase either accepts photogenerated electrons or holes, thereby suppressing recombination, or acts as a photosensitiser through its intrinsic semiconducting properties. Confinement of charge carriers within nanoporous carbon frameworks further enhances quantum yields by reducing surface trapping. Practical applications span environmental remediation—degrading dyes, pharmaceuticals and emerging contaminants in water—to solar fuel production via water splitting and CO₂ reduction. Recent advances focus on engineered heterojunctions between carbon and metal oxides, doping strategies that narrow bandgaps, and scalable syntheses from biomass-derived precursors. The global significance of this field lies in its promise for sustainable photocatalytic technologies that operate under solar irradiation with low energy input and facile recovery of the catalyst.

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Photocatalytic Processes in Carbon-Composite Systems publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in photocatalytic processes in carbon-composite systems across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Photocatalysis: Light-driven generation of reactive charge carriers (electrons and holes) in a semiconductor to initiate chemical reactions.

Carbon composite: Hybrid material combining carbonaceous phases (activated carbon, nanotubes, graphene) with semiconductors to improve light absorption and charge dynamics.

Heterojunction: Interface between two different materials (e.g., semiconductor and carbon) that promotes separation of photogenerated electrons and holes.

Bandgap: Energy difference between the valence and conduction bands of a semiconductor, determining the wavelength of light it can absorb.

Charge recombination: Undesirable process in which photogenerated electrons and holes recombine without driving chemical reactions, reducing photocatalytic efficiency.

Nanoporous carbon: Carbon material characterised by a network of pores at the nanometre scale, providing high surface area and unique electronic properties for photochemical applications.

References

1. Photocatalytic Degradation of Pharmaceuticals Carbamazepine, Diclofenac, and Sulfamethoxazole by Semiconductor and Carbon Materials: A Review. Molecules (2019).
2. Preparation of Activated Carbon/TiO2 Nanohybrids for Photodegradation of Reactive Red-35 Dye Using Sunlight. Photochem (2021).
3. Origin and Perspectives of the Photochemical Activity of Nanoporous Carbons. Advanced Science (2018).
4. Nanoporous carbon/WO3 anodes for an enhanced water photooxidation. Carbon (2016).
5. Functionalized Activated Carbon Derived from Biomass for Photocatalysis Applications Perspective. International Journal of Photoenergy (2015).