Influences of Graphene Nanosheets Coating on Selectively Exposed Crystal Facet ZnO

Chemical conversion based on the crystal facet effect of transition metal oxides and construction methods for sharp-faced nanocrystals

In-depth research has found that the nanocrystal facet of transition metal oxides (TMOs) greatly affects their heterogeneous catalytic performance, as well as the property of photocatalysis, gas sensing, electrochemical reaction, etc. that are all involved in chemical conversion processes. Therefore, the facet-dependent properties of TMO nanocrystals have been fully and carefully studied by combining systematic experiments and theoretical calculations, and mechanisms of chemical reactions are accurately explained at the molecular level, which will be closer to the essence of reactions. Evidently, as an accurate investigation on crystal facets, well-defined TMO nanocrystals are the basis and premise for obtaining relevant credible results, and shape-controlled synthesis of TMO nanocrystals thereby has received great attention and development. The success in understanding of facet-dependent properties and shape-controlled synthesis of TMO nanocrystals is highly valuable for the control of reaction and the design of high-efficiency TMO nanocrystal catalysts as well as other functional materials in practical applications.

Synthesis, Characterization, and Photocatalytic Performance of ZnO–Graphene Nanocomposites: A Review

ZnO is an exciting material for photocatalysis applications due to its high activity, easy accessibility of raw materials, low production costs, and nontoxic. Several ZnO nano and microstructures can be obtained, such as nanoparticles, nanorods, micro flowers, microspheres, among others, depending on the preparation method and conditions. ZnO is a wide bandgap semiconductor presenting massive recombination of the generated charge carriers, limiting its photocatalytic efficiency and stability. It is common to mix it with metal, metal oxide, sulfides, polymers, and nanocarbon-based materials to improve its photocatalytic behavior. Therefore, ZnO–nanocarbon composites formation has been a viable alternative that leads to new, more active, and stable photocatalytic systems. Mainly, graphene is a well-known two-dimensional material, which could be an excellent candidate to hybridize with ZnO due to its excellent physical and chemical properties (e.g., high specific surface area, optical transmittance, and thermal conductivity, among others). This review analyses ZnO–graphene nanocomposites’ recent advances, addressing the synthesis methods and the resulting structural, morphological, optical, and electronic properties. Moreover, we examine the ZnO–graphene composites’ role in the photocatalytic degradation of organic/inorganic pollutants.