Abstract
Recently, nonmetallic semiconductors have received attention as excellent alternatives to traditional metal-based catalysts, which can cause toxic releases into water sources. However, the practical use of metal-free photocatalysts is restricted by stability, sustainability, and economic issues. Carbonaceous materials are considered promising candidates to enhance the structural, optical, and electronic features and photocatalytic performance of metal-free catalysts. This chapter reports on recent developments in applying carbon-based metal-free semiconductors in photocatalytic reactions, including water/air treatment, H2 evolution, CO2 reduction, and bacterial disinfection. The review focuses on several metal-free carbonaceous materials—carbon nitride, graphene oxide, carbon nanofibers, fullerenes, carbon nanotubes, mesoporous carbon and carbon-based quantum dots—with their uses highlighted for nonmetal hybrid structures that include h-BN, silica, silicon carbide, and black/red phosphorus. This review can guide readers in obtaining helpful information for designing and improving carbon-based metal-free materials in the field of photocatalysis.
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