Advanced photocatalytic materials by nanocarbon hybrid materials

Nanocarbon-semiconductor hybrid materials find increasing interest for application in photocatalysis and as photoanode, because nanocarbons allows to improve the properties of the semiconductor particles, providing a more efficient i) nano-architecture and stabilization of semiconductor nanoparticles, often with unconventional morphologies, ii) electron collection and transport, as well as charge separation, and iii) introduction of additional functionalities relevant for photocatalytic behavior. This concise review introduces the general aspects of this area, and selected recent relevant examples to provide indications on critical aspects to consider, because there is a lack of a more systematic approach hindering to fully exploit the potential of this new class of nanomaterials. The largest part of the activities in this field is related to photocatalytic depuration of waste emissions, but the applications related to sustainable energy applications, such as DSSC cells and device to produce solar fuels (H2 from water photoelectrolysis/splitting and hydrocarbons/ alcohols from CO2), is an area of emerging relevance.