The need for cleaner alternative energy to fossil fuels has led to the development of a new realm of highly–efficient photoactive 2D nanostructures. With a thickness of a single or few atomic layers, the 2D nanomaterials (NMs) have high surface area. The strong in-plane chemical bonds along with weak van der Waals interaction make these materials lucrative for surface related applications. Photocatalytic water splitting technique is a promising alternative to produce hydrogen using facile and cost effective methods. In the current review, recent progress made in photocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) using 2D nanomaterials and composite heterostructures is described. State of the art protocols designed for the synthesis of 2D NMs is discussed in detail. The review illustrates the DFT based studies against the new set of 2D NMs, which also highlights the importance of structural defects and doping in the electronic structure. Additionally, the review describes the influence of electronic, structural and surface manipulation strategies. These impact the electronic structures, intrinsic conductivity and finally the output towards HER. Moreover, this review also provides a fresh perspective on the prospects and challenges existing behind the application and fabrication strategies.

Nanostructured photocatalysts have always offered opportunities to solve issues concerned with the environmental challenges caused by rapid urbanization and industrialization. These materials, due to their tunable physicochemical characteristics, are capable of providing a clean and sustainable ecosystem to humanity. One of the current thriving research focuses of visible-light-driven photocatalysts is on the nanocomposites of titanium dioxide (TiO2) with carbon nanostructures, especially graphene. Coupling TiO2 with graphene has proven more active by photocatalysis than TiO2 alone. It is generally considered that graphene sheets act as an electron acceptor facilitating the transfer and separation of photogenerated electrons during TiO2 excitation, thereby reducing electron-hole recombination. This study briefly reviews the fundamental mechanism and interfacial charge-transfer dynamics in TiO2/graphene nanocomposites. Design strategies of various graphene-based hybrids are highlighted along with some specialized synthetic routes adopted to attain preferred properties. Importantly, the enhancing interfacial charge transfer of photogenerated e¯CB through the graphene layers by morphology orientation of TiO2, predominated exposure of their high energy crystal facets, defect engineering, enhancing catalytic sites in graphene, constructing dedicated architectures, tuning the nanomaterial dimensionality at the interface, and employing the synergism adopted through various modifications, are systematically compiled. Portraying the significance of these photocatalytic hybrids in environmental remediation, important applications including air and water purification, self-cleaning surfaces, H2 production, and CO2 reduction to desired fuels, are addressed.

Surface contamination by microbes is a major public health concern. A damp environment is one of potential sources for microbe proliferation. Smart photocatalytic coatings on building surfaces using semiconductors like titania (TiO₂) can effectively curb this growing threat. Metal-doped titania in anatase phase has been proven as a promising candidate for energy and environmental applications. In this present work, the antimicrobial efficacy of copper (Cu)-doped TiO₂ (Cu-TiO₂) was evaluated against Escherichia coli (Gram-negative) and Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive) under visible light irradiation. Doping of a minute fraction of Cu (0.5 mol %) in TiO₂ was carried out via sol-gel technique. Cu-TiO₂ further calcined at various temperatures (in the range of 500–700 °C) to evaluate the thermal stability of TiO₂ anatase phase. The physico-chemical properties of the samples were characterized through X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photo-electron spectroscopy (XPS) and UV–visible spectroscopy techniques. XRD results revealed that the anatase phase of TiO₂ was maintained well, up to 650 °C, by the Cu dopant. UV–vis results suggested that the visible light absorption property of Cu-TiO₂ was enhanced and the band gap is reduced to 2.8 eV. Density functional theory (DFT) studies emphasize the introduction of Cu⁺ and Cu²⁺ ions by replacing Ti⁴⁺ ions in the TiO₂ lattice, creating oxygen vacancies. These further promoted the photocatalytic efficiency. A significantly high bacterial inactivation (99.9999%) was attained in 30 min of visible light irradiation by Cu-TiO₂.