Advancement in two-dimensional carbonaceous nanomaterials for photocatalytic water detoxification and energy conversion

Two-dimensional carbonaceous materials have aroused tremendous attention toward energy conversion and water detoxification. Carbonaceous nanomaterials possess favorable electrical conductivity, optical properties, unique layered microstructure, and high surface area. The surface functional groups and π-π interaction make them more advantageous to utilize in versatile applications. Further, their ability to sink electrons assists in suppressing the recombination process and thereby enhancing the separation of charge carriers. Here, we discuss the structure, properties, and advanced synthetic methods of different carbonaceous nanomaterials. Primarily, the manuscript focuses on graphene, graphene oxide, graphitic carbon nitride, graphdiyne, and Mxenes-based heterojunction. This review uniquely discusses the mechanism of charge transfer pathways in Carbon-based type-II, Schottky, Z-scheme, and S-scheme heterojunctions in the context of photocatalytic applications. Lastly, we discuss their application in water detoxifications and energy conversion, followed by conclusive remarks and future prospects.