Recent advances in carbon-based nanocomposites for environmental remediation of industrial dyes

Abstract

The escalating presence of organic dyes in industrial wastewater poses significant environmental and health hazards, necessitating the development of efficient, sustainable treatment technologies. Photocatalysis has emerged as a promising solution, and recent advancements highlight carbon-based nanostructures (CNMs) as effective photocatalysts due to their unique physicochemical properties. This review provides a comprehensive overview of carbon nanomaterials – specifically carbon nanotubes (CNTs), graphene-based materials, and carbon quantum dots (CQDs) – focusing on their structures, surface functionalities, and photocatalytic mechanisms. The origins and toxicological impacts of dye pollutants are discussed to underscore the urgency of remediation strategies. Furthermore, recent progress in the photocatalytic degradation of dyes using these carbon nanostructures is examined. The paper concludes by addressing current challenges, including stability, reusability, and large-scale application, and outlines future directions for enhancing the practical implementation of carbon nanomaterials in wastewater treatment.